Basic Human Neuroanatomy
A Clinically Oriented Atlas 
Case 41 Answers

1.  How would you characterize this patient's language dysfunction?

Fluent aphasia -- Wernicke’s aphasia.

2.  Damage to what area of the brain gives rise to this type of language dysfunction?  What side of the brain is involved? 

Left area 22 on the superior temporal gyrus

3.  Explain how damage to this area of the brain produces language dysfunction of this type.

Area 22 is necessary for comprehension of verbal language.
Broca’s area is intact, and therefore speech production is possible. However, the patient cannot understand what she, or anyone else, is saying. Thus her speech is nonsensical and paraphasic.

4.  In general, what type of pathologic process do you think is involved in this case?

Vascular.  Occlusion of a cortical branch of the left MCA.

5.  What diagnostic procedure(s) would you undertake at this point?



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