The document discusses the neuroanatomical functions of the language learning brain. It describes several key brain regions involved in language processing, including Broca's area, Wernicke's area, the angular gyrus, supramarginal gyrus, visual word form area, and their associated functions. It also discusses neural pathways that connect language regions, such as the arcuate fasciculus, and how neuroplasticity enables language learning through new neuronal connections formed by environmental experiences.

1. Neuroanatomical Functions of the
Language Learning Brain
(Anmum, 2013)
Neuroplasticity is the capacity of already existent circuits of neurons to forge whole new
pathways among themselves. Because of this plasticity, humans are genetically poised to make
novel neuronal connections (Wolf, et al., 2009) as a result of environmental experiences.
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2. Learning Areas of the Brain
Spatial
Cognition
System
Posterior
Parietal Cortex
Visual
Cognition
System
Occipitotemporal
Cortex
Memory
System
Hippocampus
Amygdala-
Parietal Temporal
Executive
System
Prefrontal
Cortex
Language
System
Left Perisylvian
Cortex
(Temporal
Lobe)
• Sequencing
• Organization
• Visualization
• Mental
representation
of objects
• Visual Memory
• Pattern
Recognition
• Abstract
Representation
of Shape
• Visual Memory
• Pattern
Recognition
• Abstract
Representation
of Shape
• Indexing
• Filing Objects
& Information
• Emotions
• Semantics
Making Meaning of
words
• Syntactic
Constructing
Sentences
• Phonological
Sounding out Words
• Capacity to Hold
Thoughts in Mind
• Create Plans
• Make Decisions
• Observe
Behaviors
Follow Rules
• Post-Pone
Gratification
(Jensen, 2009; Brundidge, 2014)
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3. The Brain’s “Overarching System”
*Engages occipital &
temporal areas
*Pattern recognition
*Visual imagery
*Engages left
temporal and frontal
areas
*Engages posterior
parietal area
*Mathematics
*Organizing &
feeling organized
*Sequencing
*Visualizing
information
*Engages
prefrontal area
*Create plans
*Make decisions
*Engages the
hippocampus
(indexing )
*Engages amygdala
(emotions)
*Store appropriate
information
Occipitotemporal/
Visual Cognitive
System
Left Perisylvian/
Language System
Parietal/Spatial
Cognitive
System
Prefrontal/
Executive
System
Medial
Temporal/
Memory System
(Jensen, 2009, pp. 32-33)
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4. *Translate mental
images into abstract
representations of
object shape &
identity
*Reciprocally
translate visual
memory knowledge
into mental images
*Foundation for
reading, writing,
spelling, &
pronunciation skills
*Encompasses
phonological,
semantic, syntactic &
aspect of language
*Underlies the
ability to mentally
represent &
manipulate spatial
relations among
objects
*Processes music
*Capacity to defer
gratification
*Hold thoughts in
mind (Working
Memory)
*Reset the brain’s
rules for behavior
under different
circumstances
*Process explicit
learning
(information from
text, spoken words,
pictures)
The Brain’s “Overarching System”
Occipitotemporal/
Visual Cognitive
System
Left Perisylvian/
Language System
Parietal/Spatial
Cognitive
System
Prefrontal/
Executive
System
Medial
Temporal/
Memory System
(Jensen, 2009, pp. 32-33)4ozella.brundidge@gmail.com 4/13/2017

5. The Brain Consists of two Homologous Hemispheres with
Neural Grey Matter and White Matter Connective Tissue
Grey Matter
Neural tissue
White Matter
Connective tissue
Axial View
(Stroke Care Givers, n.d.; Barts MS Blog, 10 January 2015; The Open University, 2013
Corpus Callosum
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6. Basic Brain Anatomy
Adults keep about 100
billion neurons, and 500
to 1,000 billion glia cells
(Jensen, 2005)
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Human Infants are Born
with roughly 150 to 200
billion Neurons
After
Pruning
The Brain Consist of:
78% Water
10% Fat
8% Protein
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7. (Billeci, et al., 2012; Sajan, et al., 2013)
Corpus Callosum
Largest Inter-Hemispheric Fiber Tract
Contributes to higher cognitive processes such as decoding non-literal meaning.
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8. DTI Study shows Arcuate Fasciculus (AF)
3-D Structure and Connections between Language Regions
• AF connects the precentral gyrus and pars
opercularis to the lateral posterior STG and
the planum temporale
• Transport linguistic information
• Assembles meaningful strings
• Critical for higher-order language functions
• Expressive language functioning
Diffusion Tensor Image (DTI)
(Billeci, et al., 2012; The-Crankshaft Publishing’s, 2012; Frey & & Fisher, 2012; Rilling, Glasser, Preuss, et al., 2008;
Vigneau, et al., 2006) 8
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9. Arcuate Fasciculus (AF)
Frontotemporal Superior Longitudinal Fasciculus
(Billeci, et al., 2012; Bernal, et al., 2009; The-Crankshaft Publishing’s, 2012; Frey & & Fisher, 2012; Rilling,
Glasser, Preuss, et al., 2008)
A new language network model (2009)
suggests that the AF connects posterior
brain areas with pars opercularis
indirectly through:
 a relay station in the premotor area
of the precentral gyrus, or
 the primary motor area
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10. Wernicke’s Area is the Language Comprehension Center
Center
• Syntactic Comprehension
Language rules of the culture
• Semantic Cognition
Understanding meaning
• Auditory Short-term Memory
Immediate and Working Memory
• Lexical (words) Representation
(Barde, et al., 2012; Leff, Schofield,, Crinion et al. 2009; Navigate Your Life, n.d.; Wright, et al., 2012)
Hickok, et al., 2009
Receptive Language Processing
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11. Wernicke’ s Area
Posterior Superior Temporal Gyrus
Phonological Processing
Decode Phonemes
and Words
Verbal Abilities
Understanding
Meaningful Speech
Visual Cognition
Understanding
Written Language
(Barde, Yeatman, Lee, Glover, & Feldman, 2012; Carreiras, et al., 2009; Cerruti, 2010; Frey & Fischer, 2010;
Trollinger., 2010; Weems & Reggia, 2006)
Phonological
Discrimination
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12. Planum Temporale
Stores the Lexicon
• Stores all words a child has ever heard
• Located within Wernicke’s area
• Process grapheme-phoneme
• Phonological coding of speech
• Print speech sound
(Dehaene, et al., 2010; Haier & Jung, 2008; Hickok, et al., 2009; MacWhinney, 2011; Bloom, et al., 2013)
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13. The Arcuate Fasciculus Connects the Planum
to the Frontal Lobe
(Vigneau et al., 2006)
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The Planum Temporale is Co-activated with the Motor
Cortex and a Frontal Cognitive Region:
• Inferior Precentral Gyrus
• Frontal Pars Opercularis

14. Elementary Audio-Motor Loop is involved in both
Comprehension and Production of Syllables
The Audio-Motor Loop consists of:
1. Planum Temporale - auditory processing,
phonological processing, and language
2. Premotor area - motor centers for speech
production and control (BA 4 & BA 6); it
is close to Broca’s area
3. Anterior Superior Temporal Gyrus -
(T1a) is the primary auditory center
(BA41/42) and the motor mouth area.
(Bloom, Garcia-Barrera, Miller, Miller, Hynd, 2013; Vigneau, et al., 2006; Longcamp, Anton, Roth, & Velay, 2003;
Dogil et al., 2002 in 2003; Dronkers, 1996 in 2003; Fiez and Petersen, 1998 in 2003)
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15. Left Middle Temporal Gyrus
Stores Verbal Knowledge
• Activity contributes to future reading skills predictions
• Semantics
• Grapheme-phoneme decoding
• Access lexical and semantic information from the
sound-to-meaning network
• Medial temporal lobe (V5/MT) Motion
• Stores mental lexicon
(Bach, et al., 2011; Hickok and Poeppel, 2000, 2004, 2007 and Vigneau et al., 2006 in Bach, et al., 2011; Fiebach, et
al., 2002; Martin, et al., 1995; Wikipedia, 2012, December 12)
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16. The Right Hemisphere’s Semantic Performance
Does Not Depend upon Tissue Integrity
(Caplan, Chen, & Waters, 1996; Tyler, Wright, Stamatakis, & 2011; Wright, et al., 2012)
Right Middle Temporal Gyrus
Right Superior Temporal Gyrus
Semantic performance correlated
with activation in the right
superior and middle temporal gyri
regardless of tissue integrity.(Culham, May 2016)
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17. • Process grapheme-phoneme
• Word reading
• Reading, writing, and spelling words
• Understand written language
• Understand meaning
• Mid-fusiform gyrus and VWFA are a part
of writing system across cultures
(Brem, et al., 2010; Broc, et al., 2011; Bolger, et al., 2005; Dehaene, 2013; Hubbard, 2007; Roux, et al., 2009;
Brundidge, 2014)
Visual Word Form Area (VWFA)
Critical Component of Mature Reading and Writing Networks
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Inferior Temporal Gyrus
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18.  Recognize and process printed symbols
 Process grapheme-phonemes
 Phonological processing, coding and decoding
 Process all categories of nouns
Angular Gyrus (BA 39)
Manipulate Abstract Semantic Categories
(Weems & Reggia, 2006; Stoeckel, Gough, Watkins, & Devlin, 2009; Carreiras, et al.,2009; Barde, et al., 2012;
Bonner, Peelle, Cook, & Grossman, 2013)
(Bonner, et al., 2013)
Bonner, et al., 2013
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19. Angular Gyrus Activated
Lexical Decision Making Tasks
L R
Process Four categories of nouns
• Sight words (pyramid)
• Sound words (thunder)
• Manipulation words (scissors)
• Abstract words (essence)
Color perception tasks
Motor planning
(Bonner, et al., 2013; Houde, Pineau, Leroux, et al., 2011)
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20. Bonner, et al., 2013
Words travel along connective fiber pathways between
sensory–motor regions
The Angular Gyrus Recruit Modality-Specific Processes
Activated across all sensory-motor categories and perform multiple tasks and stimuli simultaneously.
Occipital Auditory Motor
Vision Auditory Manipulation
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21. (Deschamps et al., 2013; Meyer, et al.. 2012; Simos, Rezaie, Fletcher, & Papanicolaou, et al., 2013;
Stoeckel, et al., 2009)
SMG:
Primary Phonological Processing Network
Process verbal and
written words
Decision
making
Decode
words
Language &
Verbal working
memory tasks
Process
pseudowords
Semantics
Visual word
recognition
Counting syllable
visual and auditory
Homophone
judgment
Orthography
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22. Supramarginal Gyrus (SMG)
Verbal Spatial Processing
• Handwriting
• Motor planning of hand–object interactions
• Counting syllables
• Process spatial related words
• Store English and Korean letters
• Color perception tasks
(Bonner, et al., 2013 ; Chris July 11, 2006; Hartwigsen, Baumgaertner, Price, et al., 2010; Houde, et al., 2011;
Myers, et al., 2012; Stoeckel, et al., 2009)
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(MCAT Basics, 2015)

23. Wernicke’s area
(When What How, 2012)
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(MCAT Basics, 2015)
(Simos, et al., 2013)
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24. “Articulation is a complex process that involves rapid, precise, orchestrated
coordination of a large number of muscles” (Baldo, et al., 2011, p. 800).
Exner’s Area
Broca’s Area
Primary Motor Area
Broca’s Area: Articulation and Pronunciation
(Frey & Fischer, 2010; Kurowski, Blumstein, Palumbo, et al., 2007; MacWhinney, 2008, 2010; Willis,
2009; Wikipedia, 2014 April 9)
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25. Broca’s Area
Higher Cognitive
Functions
Final
Phonological
Processor
Rhyming
Judgment of
visual words
Complex
Sentences
Comprehension
Process
Explicit
Semantics
Expressive
Language
Processing
(Barde, et al., 2012; Biton, Booth, Choy, et al., 2005; Davis, Kleinman,
Newhart, et al. 2008; Meyers, et al., 2012; Simos, et al., 2013 ) 25
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(MCAT Basics, 2015)
Develop
Planum Temporal’s
Lexicon

26. The Inferior Frontal Gyrus (IFG) contains a Fine-Scaled Functional
Architecture for Phonological and Semantic Processing
(Udden & Bahlmann, 2012; Vigneau, Beaucousin, Herve, Duffau,
Crivello, Houde, Mazoyer, & Tzourio-Mazoyer, 2006)
Pars Opercularis (BA 44): word-processing level
of phonology, sublexical processing of sequences
of phonemes and syllables, and syntax
Pars Triangularis (BA 45): sentence-level
processing of syntax and semantics, process
sequencing of words
Pars Orbitalis (BA 47): involved with semantics
B
R
O
C
A
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27. (Biton, et al., 2005; Davis, et al., 2008; Meyers, et al., 2012; Trollinger,
2010; Weems & Reggia, 2006; Wright, et al., 2012)
Broca’s Area: Grammatical Speech Production
• Word ordering decisions
• Spelling and reading
• Produce syntactically complex sentences
• Phonological decision making
• Decode and code
• Higher language functions
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28. • Activated by visually presented words and symbols
• Encode visual, non-verbal, and verbal stimuli
• Decode verbal phonological or orthographic stimuli
• Rapid naming of letters and objects
• Store sentences
• Process complex syntax in sentences
(Biton, et al., 2005; Cerruti, 2010; Davis, et al., 2008; Meyers, et al., 2012; Misra, Katzir, Wolf, & Poldrack,
2004 in Wolf, Barzillai, Gottwald, et al., 2009; Trollinger, 2010; Wright, et al., 2012)
Broca’s Area
Language and Speech Production
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29. The Language Learning Brain
(Rimrodt, S. L., Peterson, D. J., Denckla, M. B., et al., 2010; Vigneau, Beaucousin,
Herve, Duffau, Crivello, Houde, et Al., 2006; James & Gauthier, 2006; Weems &
Reggia, 2006)
Temporal Lobe
Superior Temporal Gyrus (STG)
aSTG Auditory center (Human voice)
pSTG (Wernicke’s area (WA);
Planum temporale)
Superior Temporal Sulcus (STS)
Middle Temporal Gyrus (MTG)
Inferior Temporal Gyrus (IFG)
Parietal Lobe
Inferior Parietal Lobule (IFG)
Angular gyrus (AG)
Supramarginal gyrus (SMG)
Occipital Lobe
Primary Visual area (V1)
Secondary Visual association area (V2)
Tertiary Visual association area (V3)
4th Visual association area (V4)
MTG/5th Visual association area (MT/V5)
Frontal Lobe
Inferior Frontal Gyrus (IFG)
Broca’s area (BA)
Pars opercularis
Pars triangularis
Pars orbital
Fusiform gyrus (FG)
Temporopolar region (Pole)
Arcuate Fasciculus
White Matter Fiber Tract
connect temporal, parietal
and frontal language areas
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