Lateralization of brain function: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 17:41, 3 March 2006

Revision as of 17:42, 3 March 2006

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====Broca====

One of the first indications of brain function laterality arose from research conducted by [[France | French]] [[physician]] [[Paul Pierre Broca]] in [[1861]]. Broca's initial research involved a patient nicknamed "Tan"., This patientwho had a speech deficit ([[aphasia]]) manifesting as a difficulty in speech production. One of the onlyfew words this patient could clearly articulate was "tan", thus leading to his nickname. Broca performed a post-mortem [[autopsy]] and determined that Tan had a [[lesion]], caused by [[syphilis]], in the left cerebral hemisphere. This brain area--located in the left [[frontal lobe]]--is known as [[Broca's area]] and is an important region for speech production. Deficits in speech production caused by damage to Broca’s area are known as [[Broca's aphasia]].

====Wernicke====