Broc's speech center
Broc's speech center[edit | edit source]
General information[edit | edit source]
Broc's speech center is located on one side of the frontal lobe (latter gyrus frontalis inferior) in Brodmann's areas 44 and 45. However, its location is variable because it is located in the dominant (speech) hemisphere of the individual. Its main function is to correct the mimic muscles needed to form words and coherent sentences.
Disorders[edit | edit source]
When Broc's center is damaged, a disorder known as aphasia occurs . It can be the result of mechanical brain damage, chemical brain damage (drug intoxication or stroke), inflammation or tumor. An individual with aphasia understands speech, but has extensive problems with word formation. The individual is aware of his problems.
Common problems are:
- difficulty with pronunciation,
- stammer,
- inconsistency of sentences,
- choppy speech
- impaired understanding of two important words,
- omitting letters or whole words,
- sometimes even one-word sentences.
A milder form of aphasia is dysphasia .
Interestingness[edit | edit source]
It is not a 100% rule that Broc's speech center is in the dominant hemisphere. This is the case with most right-handers, after which only about half of individuals comply with this rule for left-handers.
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