A region of the superior temporal cortex adjacent to the primary auditory area. (shown in yellow)

Studies have found that this area is larger in the left hemisphere than the right (In 11% of the brains studied was the right side larger). Although there is not concrete evidence of this relationship, the larger left planum temporale is likely to be related to the left hemisphere's specialization for language.

Planum Temporale

Speech perception and music perception cannot be strictly assigned to the left and right hemispheres, respectively. For example, the right hemisphere can play a role in speech for people whose left hemisphere dominates speech. Additionally, perceiving the emotional tone-of-voice aspects in language (prosody) is specialized in the right hemisphere. Damage to both sides of the brain would completely wipe musical perception. Although the hemispheres specialize in certain kinds of auditory perception, the hemispheres collaborate on these functions as well.

Limits of Auditory Specializations in Brain Hemispheres

Anatomical studies of the primary auditory cortex in the right and left hemispheres show how the different hemispheres play different roles in auditory perception.

- Planum Temporale
- Left Hemisphere and Speech
- Right Hemisphere and Music Perception
- Limits of Auditory Specializations

University of Rochester

New York University

This is the large lateral cortical region of the cerebral hemisphere and is continuous with the parietal lobe

It is associated with processing auditory information, sense of smell and with some aspects of learning and memory 


Temporal lobe

- Hemisphere Specialization Using Split Brain Individuals
- Information Processing in the Hemispheres
- Auditory Specializations in the Hemispheres
- Cerebral Lateralization and Handedness
- Evolution of Hemispheric Asymmetry and Specialization

Subjects in Brain Asymmetry and Lateralization of Function

Breedlove, S. & Watson, N. (2017). Behavioral neuroscience, eighth edition. Oxford University Press.

Behavioral Neuroscience 8th Edition

The A1 is located at the upper surface of the temporal lobes. The A1 is activated by multiple stimuli, such as speech sounds and the process of lip-reading in hearing individuals. This suggests an integration of senses to process information.

Primary auditory cortex (A1)

 Also known as the lateral sulcus, it is the deep fissure which demarcates the temporal lobe

Sylvian Fissure

A patient is evaluated after sustaining a head injury. While a hearing test confirms their ears are functioning correctly, they have significant difficulty understanding spoken language. Additionally, they are struggling to form new long-term memories of conversations and events that have occurred since the accident. Based on this specific combination of symptoms, which major cortical region of the brain is most likely affected? Justify your answer by linking each symptom to the region's known functions.

Neurological Symptom Analysis

Evolution of Hemispheric Asymmetry and Specialization

Cerebral Laterization and Handedness

In healthy individuals, studies on brain asymmetry focus primarily on hearing and vision. By directing auditory or visual stimuli to a single hemisphere, researchers can infer functional specializations based on the participants' responses.

Information Processing in the Left and Right Brain Hemispheres

Several studies done on split brain humans and other animals  show the functions of each brain hemisphere in isolation from one another.

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