Language cortex

Abstract

The principles of functional anatomical relationships in language are reviewed, including definitions of language functions, concepts of modularity and integration, and the biology of functional deficits after lesions. The anatomical, histological, physiological and functional organization of the language cortex is described. Methods of cortical localization, such as the clinicoanatomical, cortical physiological, neuroimaging, and functional activation are critically evaluated. Our knowledge of the functional anatomy of the language cortex is derived from localization of lesions in various clinically-relevant language syndromes, complemented by studies of cortical stimulation, cerebral blood flow and experimental neuropsychology. Converging evidence from physiological studies, deficit analysis and lesion localization points to the modularity of language function, subserved by a complex and overlapping network of structures.