Lateralization of brain function: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 05:06, 15 May 2006

Revision as of 19:21, 20 May 2006

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====Broca====

One of the first indications of brain function laterality arose from research by [[France | French]] [[physician]] [[Paul Pierre Broca]] in [[1861]]. Broca's research involved a patient nicknamed "Tan", who had a speech deficit ([[aphasia]]). One of the few words this patient could clearly articulate was "tan", 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-- 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====