Supramarginal gyrus

The Supramarginal gyrus is a part of the cerebral cortex in the human brain. It is located in the parietal lobe and is part of the Brodmann area 40. The supramarginal gyrus is involved in several key functions of the brain, including language perception and processing, and spatial cognition.

Anatomy

The supramarginal gyrus is located on the lateral surface of the parietal lobe, wrapping around the end of the lateral sulcus (Sylvian fissure). It is surrounded by the superior temporal gyrus below and the angular gyrus behind. The supramarginal gyrus is part of the inferior parietal lobule, along with the angular gyrus.

Function

The supramarginal gyrus plays a crucial role in several cognitive functions. It is involved in the perception and processing of language, particularly in phonological processing, which is the ability to discern individual sounds in words. Damage to this area can result in phonological dyslexia, a condition characterized by difficulty reading unfamiliar words and nonwords.

The supramarginal gyrus is also involved in spatial cognition, including the perception of one's own body and its positioning in space. This is known as proprioception. Damage to the supramarginal gyrus can lead to conditions such as Gerstmann syndrome, which includes symptoms like left-right confusion and difficulty with writing (agraphia).

Clinical significance

Understanding the role of the supramarginal gyrus in these cognitive functions has important implications for the diagnosis and treatment of various neurological and psychiatric conditions. For example, it may be involved in conditions such as schizophrenia and dyslexia. Further research is needed to fully understand the extent of the supramarginal gyrus's involvement in these conditions.

See also

• Cerebral cortex
• Parietal lobe
• Brodmann area
• Phonological dyslexia
• Gerstmann syndrome

References

• 
  Lateral view of the brain with labeled gyri
• 
  Gray's anatomy illustration of the supramarginal gyrus
• 
  Animation of the supramarginal gyrus