The neural underpinnings of word comprehension and production: The critical roles of the temporal lobes

This chapter explores the involvement of the temporal lobes in distinct language functions. The examination of cases of localized damage to the temporal lobes and the resulting pattern of impairment across language tasks and types of errors made can reveal clear neural regions and associated networks essential for word comprehension, semantics, naming, reading, and spelling. Key regions implicated in these functions include left superior temporal gyrus posterior to the temporal pole in word comprehension, bilateral anterior temporal lobes in semantics, left posterior inferior temporal gyrus (pITG) in naming, and left pITG and fusiform cortex in reading and spelling. Results we review provide evidence that the temporal lobes have a critical role in many language tasks. Although various areas and associated white matter tracts work together in supporting language, damage to specific regions of the temporal lobes results in distinct and relatively predictable impairments of language functions.