Planum temporale

Planum Temporale

The Planum Temporale is an area of the brain situated in the cerebral cortex, specifically in the temporal lobe. It is located posterior to the auditory cortex, which is responsible for processing sound. The Planum Temporale is involved in various cognitive functions, including language processing and music perception.

Anatomy

The Planum Temporale is found in the dominant cerebral hemisphere, which is the left hemisphere in about 95% of right-handed individuals and 70% of left-handed individuals. It is located within the Sylvian fissure, also known as the lateral sulcus, and is bounded by the Heschl's gyrus anteriorly and the superior temporal gyrus posteriorly.

Function

The Planum Temporale plays a significant role in language processing. It is particularly involved in the comprehension of spoken language, and damage to this area can result in receptive aphasia, a condition characterized by difficulty understanding spoken or written language.

In addition to language processing, the Planum Temporale is also involved in music perception. Studies have shown that professional musicians have a larger Planum Temporale compared to non-musicians.

Clinical Significance

Abnormalities in the Planum Temporale have been associated with several neurological and psychiatric conditions, including dyslexia, schizophrenia, and autism. For example, individuals with dyslexia often have a symmetrical Planum Temporale, which is different from the asymmetrical Planum Temporale found in individuals without dyslexia.

See Also

• Broca's area
• Wernicke's area
• Aphasia
• Neuroanatomy

References

Planum temporale Resources
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