Planum temporale

Planum Temporale

The Planum Temporale (pronounced: pla-num tem-po-rale) is an area of the brain situated in the temporal lobe, specifically in the superior temporal gyrus.

Etymology

The term "Planum Temporale" is derived from Latin, where "Planum" means "flat surface" and "Temporale" refers to "temporal", indicating its location in the temporal lobe of the brain.

Function

The Planum Temporale is associated with various cognitive functions, including language processing and auditory perception. It is particularly involved in the processing of complex sounds, such as music and speech.

Anatomy

The Planum Temporale is located posterior to the Heschl's gyrus and is part of the Wernicke's area, a region of the brain involved in language comprehension. It is typically larger in the left hemisphere, a characteristic known as Planum Temporale Asymmetry (PTA).

Related Terms

Temporal Lobe: The lobe of the brain where the Planum Temporale is located.
Superior Temporal Gyrus: The part of the temporal lobe that contains the Planum Temporale.
Heschl's Gyrus: The gyrus of the brain immediately anterior to the Planum Temporale.
Wernicke's Area: The region of the brain involved in language comprehension, which includes the Planum Temporale.
Planum Temporale Asymmetry (PTA): The characteristic of the Planum Temporale being larger in the left hemisphere of the brain.