Language processing
Encyclopedia
Language processing refers to the way human beings process speech or writing and understand it as language. Most recent theories back the idea that this process is made completely by and inside the brain.
. These electric impulses are then transported through scarpa's ganglion
(vestibulocochlear nerve
) to the primary auditory cortex
, on both hemispheres. Each hemisphere treats it differently, nevertheless: while the left side recognizes distinctive parts such as phoneme
s, the right side takes over prosodic characteristics
and melodic information.
The signal is then transported to Wernicke's area
on the left hemisphere (the information that was being processed on the right hemisphere is able to cross through inter-hemispheric axon
s), where the already noted analysis takes part.
From this area, the signal is taken to Broca's area
through what is called the arcuate fasciculus
. Broca's area is in charge of interpreting the information provided by Wernicke's area (using the pars triangularis
) and transmitting information to the closely located motor-related areas of the brain for production of speech (relying on the pars opercularis
).
Spoken language
Acoustic stimuli are received by the auditive organ and are converted to bioelectric signals on the organ of CortiOrgan of Corti
The organ of Corti is the organ in the inner ear of mammals that contains auditory sensory cells, or "hair cells."The organ was named after the Italian anatomist Marquis Alfonso Giacomo Gaspare Corti , who conducted microscopic research of the mammaliean auditory system.-Structure and function:The...
. These electric impulses are then transported through scarpa's ganglion
Scarpa's ganglion
The vestibular nerve ganglion is the ganglion of the vestibular nerve. It contains the cell bodies of the bipolar primary afferent neurons whose peripheral processes form synaptic contact with hair cells of the vestibular sensory end organs.It is named for Antonio Scarpa.At birth, it is already...
(vestibulocochlear nerve
Vestibulocochlear nerve
The vestibulocochlear nerve is the eighth of twelve cranial nerves, and is responsible for transmitting sound and equilibrium information from the inner ear to the brain...
) to the primary auditory cortex
Primary auditory cortex
The primary auditory cortex is the region of the brain that is responsible for the processing of auditory information. Corresponding roughly with Brodmann areas 41 and 42, it is located on the temporal lobe, and performs the basics of hearing—pitch and volume...
, on both hemispheres. Each hemisphere treats it differently, nevertheless: while the left side recognizes distinctive parts such as phoneme
Phoneme
In a language or dialect, a phoneme is the smallest segmental unit of sound employed to form meaningful contrasts between utterances....
s, the right side takes over prosodic characteristics
Prosody (linguistics)
In linguistics, prosody is the rhythm, stress, and intonation of speech. Prosody may reflect various features of the speaker or the utterance: the emotional state of the speaker; the form of the utterance ; the presence of irony or sarcasm; emphasis, contrast, and focus; or other elements of...
and melodic information.
The signal is then transported to Wernicke's area
Wernicke's area
Wernicke's area is one of the two parts of the cerebral cortex linked since the late nineteenth century to speech . It is involved in the understanding of written and spoken language...
on the left hemisphere (the information that was being processed on the right hemisphere is able to cross through inter-hemispheric axon
Axon
An axon is a long, slender projection of a nerve cell, or neuron, that conducts electrical impulses away from the neuron's cell body or soma....
s), where the already noted analysis takes part.
From this area, the signal is taken to Broca's area
Broca's area
Broca's area is a region of the hominid brain with functions linked to speech production.The production of language has been linked to the Broca’s area since Pierre Paul Broca reported impairments in two patients. They had lost the ability to speak after injury to the posterior inferior frontal...
through what is called the arcuate fasciculus
Arcuate fasciculus
The arcuate fasciculus is the neural pathway connecting the posterior part of the temporoparietal junction with the frontal cortex in the brain and is now considered as part of the superior longitudinal fasciculus..-Neuroanatomy:...
. Broca's area is in charge of interpreting the information provided by Wernicke's area (using the pars triangularis
Pars triangularis
Pars triangularis is a region of the human cortex, located in the inferior frontal gyrus of the frontal lobe in the corresponding Brodmann area 45...
) and transmitting information to the closely located motor-related areas of the brain for production of speech (relying on the pars opercularis
Pars opercularis
In the human brain the Pars opercularis is the part of the inferior frontal gyrus that lies between the inferior precentral sulcus and the ascending ramus of the lateral sulcus. It is called opercularis because it covers part of the insula. The pars opercularis together with the pars triangularis...
).