The brain is a complex structure that has many parts. Of course, this is to be expected, especially since it is the coordinator of the body. The main parts of the brain are the cerebrum, cerebellum and the medulla. There are other structures that are not as prominent as the three mentioned above.
The cerebrum, which is the largest brain structure, has four lobes that are very important to our existence as humans. The frontal, parietal, occipital and temporal lobes all have different functions and damage to any or all could be fatal to the individual. Other structures that will be discussed are the medulla and the pons. More information on the temporal lobe can be found as you scroll through this page.
The temporal lobe (in yellow) is located below that of the parietal lobe, and is on both sides of the hemispheres. It interacts with the amygdala and hippocampus, two structures in the limbic system, to form conscious memories. The temporal lobe consists of different structures that perform different functions. Some of those functions are:
- Sensory processing
- Auditory perception
- Language and speech production
- Language and speech comprehension
- Memory storage
Some important structures in the temporal lobe are:
- Wernicke’s Area – This is the part of the brain associated with understanding speech and language.
- Broca’s Area – This is the part of the brain that aids in the production of speech.
- Amygdala – The amygdala is involved in memory and emotion processing.
- Hippocampus – The hippocampus works with the amygdala to help form memories. It also helps to connect senses and emotions. The hippocampus is responsible for the “fight or flight” response.
With the knowledge that the temporal lobe consists of structures that mainly deal with speech, language and emotions, these functions could be affected when there is damage to the temporal lobe. Some possible signs of damage are:
- Problems with memory
- Difficulty understanding language
- Difficulty controlling emotions
- Memory loss
Bailey, Regina. “Temporal Lobes in the Cerebral Cortex and Their Function.” ThoughtCo, 11 Nov. 2019, www.thoughtco.com/temporal-lobes-anatomy-373228.
*The information presented on this website is intended to provide a summary of information already available to the general public. If you have medical questions and/or concerns, please contact a medical professional.