Brodmann areas: anatomy and functions (2023)

VonOlivia Guy-Evans, released on September 15, 2021

vonSaul Mcleod, PhD

various parts ofcerebral cortexare involved in various functions, both cognitive and behavioral.

Brodmann areas are a way of mapping the cortex and its prominent features developed by Korbinian Brodmann, after whom the areas are named.

Using Brodmann's areas, the cerebral cortex can be divided into 52 areas, which are numbered consecutively. These areas are distinguished from microscopic anatomy by the shapes and types of cells and their connections.

Despite controversy over exactly where these tracks are located, Brodmann tracks are still commonly used today. However, some bands have been subdivided or are only present in non-human primates.

Brodmann areas: anatomy and functions (1)

List of Brodmann areas

Brodmann areas: anatomy and functions (2)

History of Brodmann's areas

Korbinian Brodmann (1868-1918) was a German neurologist who published research on cortical cytoarchitecture in many species, including humans. This publication contained what is believed to be the first map of the cerebral cortex based on variations in neural structure.

Brodmann (1909) carried out a detailed study of the cortex, observing how its layers, tissues, neurons, and other cells varied in structure and size. He identified and numbered several areas of the brain of many mammals, ending some of the considerable confusion in naming parts of the cortex that existed at the time.

Before Brodmann's research, some areas of the brain were beginning to be identified, such asBrocaEWernickesareas. These areas were identified after the discovery of damage in these areas, after the identification of language deficits in these individuals.

Brodmann's brain mapping goes further, detailing all functional areas of the cortex based on general anatomical features and cortical microstructure. Brodmann areas have been widely debated, debated and refined over the years and remain the best known and most used mapping of the cortex.

important areas

Brodmann Areas 1, 2 and 3 – Primary somatosensory cortex

The primary somatosensory cortex is responsible for processing bodily sensations. Receptors throughout the body pick up on these sensations, which are responsible for detecting touch, pain, temperature and the location of touch.

This region is also important for skillful, coordinated movement and motor learning.

(Video) Brodmann areas of the cerebral cortex (preview) - Human neuroanatomy | Kenhub

Brodmann Area 4 – Primary motor cortex

The primary motor cortex is essential for initiating motor movements and for coordinating these movements. Each area of ​​the motor cortex corresponds exactly to specific body parts on the contralateral side of the body.

For example, to move the left leg, part of the primary motor cortex in the right hemisphere is stimulated.

Brodmann Area 9 – Dorsolateral prefrontal cortex

Located in the frontal lobe, the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex is essential for “higher” cognitive functions such as working memory, planning, abstract reasoning, motor planning and organization.

Because of its importance in many executive functions, this area has multiple connections between the cortical and subcortical areas of the brain.

Brodmann Area 17 - Primary Visual Cortex

The primary visual cortex, located in the occipital lobes, is an essential structure for processing visual stimuli.

This area is the most studied visual area of ​​the brain and is highly specialized in processing still and moving objects, as well as being good at recognizing patterns.

(Video) Brodmann area made simple #Simplified numericals #Mapped brain #Anatomy #Physiology #Neurology

Brodmann Area 21 – Medium Time Spin

The middle temporal gyrus is one of the major gyri (crest) on the surface of the temporal lobes.

This area is thought to be involved in functions such as sound recognition and semantic retrieval, as well as semantic memory, language processing, and verbal mental arithmetic processing.

Brodmann-Areal 22 – Giro temporal superior

The superior temporal gyrus is also located in the temporal lobes and plays a role in verbal and non-verbal communication.

This area has been shown to be important in contributing to the processing of spatial and object information and in the processing of non-verbal social cues.

This area is also involved in short-term auditory memory and language production. Wernicke's area is also located in this area, a region that is associated with language comprehension and production.

(Video) Brain Anatomy 2 - Functional Cortical Anatomy (Lateral Surface)

Brodmann Areas 23, 24, 28 and 33 – cingulate gyrus

The cingulate gyrus is a large arched fold that covers the corpus callosum. It's an important part of the limbic system and helps regulate emotions and pain.

OgiroIt is believed to directly drive the body's conscious response to unpleasant experiences and is involved in anxiety and avoidance of negative stimuli. As the cingulate gyrus learns to avoid negative consequences, it also plays a role in memory.

Brodmann's Area 44 and 45 - Broca's Area

Broca's area is located in the frontal lobes and is an essential region for language production. This area is capable of putting together the elements of language, selecting information from different sources and helping to produce information about the motor movements necessary for spoken and written language.

Similarly, Broca's domain can help control syntactic processing mechanisms and build complex sentences and language patterns.

Location and Function of Broadmand Areas

  • Brodmann areas 1, 2 and 3: Primary somatosensory cortex (postcentral gyrus) – responsible for processing somatic sensations.
  • Brodmann-Areal 4: Primary motor cortex (precentral gyrus) - involved in the execution of movements.
  • Brodmann-Areal 5: Somatosensory Association Cortex (superior parietal lobe) – an area for sensory input.
  • Brodmann-Areal 6: Premotor cortex and supplementary motor cortex – helps control and plan movements.
  • Brodmann-Areal 7: Somatosensory Association Cortex – an area for sensory input.
  • Brodmann-Areal 8: Frontal eye fields – Role in controlling visual attention and eye movements.
  • Brodmann-Areal 9: Dorsolateral prefrontal cortex – involved in cognitive functions such as working memory, attention and executive functions.
  • Brodmann-Areal 10: Anterior prefrontal cortex – higher cognitive functions such as task management and planning.
  • Brodmann-Areal 11 e 12: Orbitofrontal area (orbital gyrus, rectus gyrus, rostral gyrus and part of the superior frontal gyrus) - receives information about the sight of objects, as well as the reward value of taste.
  • Brodmann-Areal 13 e 16: Insular Cortex – sensory processing, decision making and motor control.
  • Brodmann-Areal 17: Primary visual cortex (V1) - interprets and processes visual information received by the eyes.
  • Brodmann-Areal 18: Secondary visual cortex (V2) - – receives visual information for later analysis.
  • Brodmann area 19: Associative visual cortex (V3, V4 and V5) - complex processing of visual information.
  • Brodmann-Areal 20: Inferior temporal gyrus – processes visual information in the visual field and is involved in memory.
  • Brodmann-Areal 21: Medium-temporal gyrus - processing of semantic memory, visual perception and language processing.
  • Brodmann-Areal 22: Superior temporal gyrus (including Wernicke's area) - important for processing sounds and understanding speech.
  • Brodmann-Areal 23, 24, 28 a 33: cingulate gyrus – part of the limbic system involved in processing emotions and regulating behavior.
  • Brodmann-Areal 25: Subgenual area – a limbic area rich in serotonin transporters that works in conjunction with the other areas of the limbic system.
  • Brodmannviertel 26: Ectosplenial part of the retrosplenial region of the cerebral cortex - related to motor learning.
  • Brodmann-Areal 27: Piriform cortex – related to the sense of smell.
  • Brodmann-Areal 29: Retrosplenial cingulate cortex - associated with episodic memory and navigation.
  • Brodmann-Areal 30: part of the cingulate cortex – an interface between emotion regulation, perception and action.
  • Brodmann-Areal 31: Posterior dorsal cingulate cortex - a central node of the Default Mode Network (DMN), a set of brain structures with strong associations for activities during many cognitive tasks.
  • Brodmann-Areal 32: Anterior dorsal cingulate cortex – processing for recognition and evaluation of social processes.
  • Brodmann-Areal 34: Dorsal entorhinal cortex – involved in working memory.
  • Brodmann-Areal 35 e 36: Dorsal entorhinal cortex – involved in working memory. Area 35 and 36 - perirhinal cortex and ectorhinal area - involved in working memory.
  • Brodmann-Areal 37: Fusiform gyrus - Involved in higher level visual processing.
  • Brodmann-Areal 38: Temporal pole – high-level visual area involved in visual cognition, facial recognition and visual memory.
  • Brodmann-Areal 39: Angular gyrus - related to language and number processing, spatial awareness, memory recall and attention.
  • Brodmann-Areal 40: Supramarginal gyrus – a role in phonological processing and emotional responses.
  • Brodmann-Areal 41 e 42: Primary auditory cortex (Heschl's gyrus) – first relay station of auditory information in the cortex.
  • Brodmann-Areal 43: Primary gustatory cortex – responsible for the perception of taste.
  • Brodmann-Areal 44: part of Broca's area (pars opercularis, part of the inferior frontal gyrus) – associated with speech production and articulation.
  • Brodmann-Areal 45: part of Broca's area (pars triangularis, part of the inferior frontal gyrus class="internal">) – associated with language production and articulation.
  • Brodmann-Areal 46: Dorsolateral prefrontal cortex – involved in cognitive functions such as working memory, attention and executive functions.
  • Brodmann-Areal 47: Pars orbitalis, part of the inferior frontal gyrus – role in language processing.
  • Brodmann area 48: Retrosubicular area – emotion processing, coding and navigation.
  • Brodmann-Areal 52: Parainsular area related to attention processing and enhancement.
About the author

Olivia Guy-Evans received her Bachelors Degree in Educational Psychology from Edge Hill University in 2015. She then received her Masters in Educational Psychology from the University of Bristol in 2019 Bristol for the past four years.

To reference this article:

Guy-Evans, O. (2021, June 15). Brodmann areas: anatomy and functions. Just psychology. www.simplypsychology.org/brodmann-areas.html

(Video) brodmann areas overview 1

references

Brodmann K. 1909. Comparative theory of the localization of the cerebral cortex presented in its principles based on cellular structure. Leipzig: J.A.bart

Carter, R (2019). The Human Brain Book: An Illustrated Guide to Its Structure, Function, and Disorders (3rd ed.). DK.

Ferng, A. (2021, May 31). Brodmann areas. kenhub. https://www.kenhub.com/en/library/anatomy/brodmann-areas

Hacking, C. Gaillard et al., (s.d.). Brodmann areas. radiopedia. Retrieved on August 6, 2021 at: https://radiopaedia.org/articles/brodmann-areas?lang=gb

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FAQs

What are the Brodmann areas? ›

Brodmann areas are a system to divide the cerebral cortex according to cytoarchitectural organization, and are, despite controversy, still very widely used as a standardized nomenclature which is superimposed on the somewhat variable gyral and sulcal anatomy.

What are the Brodmann's area of the brain and what do they regulate? ›

The Brodmann areas are a way of mapping the cortex and its distinguished functions, pioneered by Korbinian Brodmann, from which the areas are named. Through using Brodmann's areas, the cortex of the brain can be divided into 52 areas which are numbered sequentially.

What does Brodmann Area 7 do? ›

Brodmann area 7 is part of the parietal cortex in the human brain. Situated posterior to the primary somatosensory cortex (Brodmann areas 3, 1 and 2), and superior to the occipital lobe, this region is believed to play a role in visuo-motor coordination (e.g., in reaching to grasp an object).

How many Brodmann areas are there in the brain? ›

Definition. Brodmann's areas of the cortex refer to 52 regions of the cerebral cortex that were identified in 1909 by German Neurologist, Korbinian Brodmann, based on cytoarchitectonic (cell size, spacing or packing density, and lamination) differences.

What does Brodmann Area 5 do? ›

Brodmann area 5 is one of Brodmann's cytoarchitectural defined regions of the brain. It is involved in somatosensory processing, movement and association, and is part of the posterior parietal cortex.

What is the function of Brodmann Area 22? ›

BA 22 is connected with nonverbal sound processing in the right hemisphere of the brain associated with activation in the auditory cortex. More functions associated with language in Brodmann area 22 include producing sentences, semantic processing, and processing of complex sounds.

What is the function of Broca's area and Wernicke's area? ›

Essentially, Wernicke's area works to make sure the language makes sense, whilst Broca's area helps to ensure the language is produced in a fluent way. This understanding of language was later expanded upon by neurologist Norman Geschwind, who proposed what would be known as the Wernicke-Geschwind model.

What is Brodmann known for? ›

Korbinian Brodmann (17 November 1868 – 22 August 1918) was a German neurologist who became famous for mapping the cerebral cortex and defining 52 distinct regions, known as Brodmann areas, based on their cytoarchitectonic (histological) characteristics.

What are the 4 main regions of the brain and what is their main function? ›

Each hemisphere can be divided into four lobes: the frontal lobe, temporal lobe, occipital lobe, and parietal lobe. The lobes are functional segments. They specialize in various areas of thought and memory, of planning and decision making, and of speech and sense perception.

What does Brodmann's area 18 do? ›

Occipital visual areas (Brodmann areas 18 and 19) provide input on spatial vectors to the middle temporal (MT) and medial superior temporal (MST) cortexes. These areas are of primary importance in generating smooth conjugate pursuit eye movements.

What does Brodmann's area 6 do? ›

The portion of BA Brodmann area 6 that is confined to the medial surface of the cerebral hemisphere has clinical relevance because part of this cortex is an eloquent region that plans motor functions and rhythmic movements. In the dominant hemisphere, the anterior part of this area initiates speech.

What Brodmann Area is for memory? ›

The main function of Brodmann area 11 is the processing of emotion and value, whereas the main function of Brodmann area 46 is the processing of cognitive information, including working memory. In comparison, the function of area 47 is more complex.

What Brodmann's area is responsible for vision? ›

Visual System. The primary visual cortex (Brodmann area 17) is located in and on either side of the calcarine sulcus, on the medial surface of the occipital lobe. It functions primarily in discerning the intensity, shape, size, and location of objects in the visual field.

What are the six regions of the brain by name and function? ›

The brain is divided into main functional sections, called lobes. These sections or brain lobes are called the Frontal Lobe, Temporal Lobe, Parietal Lobe, Occipital Lobe, the Cerebellum, and the Brain Stem.

What does Brodmann's area 4 do? ›

Area 4. This are is also known as the primary motor cortex (or Precentral gyrus) (may possibly include part of Area 6). It is responsible for executing motor movements, which includes contralateral finger/hand/wrist or orofacial movements, learned motor sequences, breathing control, and voluntary blinking.

What does Brodmann area 8 do? ›

The frontal eye field which occupies the most caudal region of area 8, is responsible for visual attention and control of eye movements.

What does Brodmann Area 20 do? ›

Brodmann area 20, or BA20, is part of the temporal cortex in the human brain. The region encompasses most of the ventral temporal cortex, a region believed to play a part in high-level visual processing and recognition memory.

What does Brodmann Area 25 do? ›

This region is extremely rich in serotonin transporters and is considered as a governor for a vast network involving areas like hypothalamus and brain stem, which influences changes in appetite and sleep; the amygdala and insula, which affect the mood and anxiety; the hippocampus, which plays an important role in ...

What is Brodmann's Area 21? ›

Brodmann area 21, or BA21, is part of the temporal cortex in the human brain. The region encompasses most of the lateral temporal cortex, a region believed to play a part in auditory processing and language. Language function is left lateralized in most individuals.

What is Brodmann's Area 24? ›

In the human this area is known as ventral anterior cingulate area 24, and it refers to a subdivision of the cytoarchitecturally defined cingulate cortex region of cerebral cortex (area cingularis anterior ventralis). It occupies most of the anterior cingulate gyrus in an arc around the genu of the corpus callosum.

What Brodmann 4? ›

Brodmann area 4 refers to the primary motor cortex of the human brain. It is located in the posterior portion of the frontal lobe. Brodmann area 4.

What does Brodmann's area 10 do? ›

One such region, Brodmann Area 10 (BA 10), is the largest frontal brain region that has been shown to be involved in a wide variety of functions including risk and decision making, odor evaluation, reward and conflict, pain, and working memory.

What is Brodmann area 13? ›

The term area 13 of Brodmann refers to a subdivision of the cerebral cortex of the guenon defined on the basis of cytoarchitecture. Located in the posterior part of the insula, it shares with other parts of the insular cortex a wide molecular layer of the cerebral cortex (I) and very wide multiform layer (VI).

Where are Broca's and Wernicke's areas in the brain? ›

Broca's and Wernicke's areas are cortical areas specialized for production and comprehension, respectively, of human language. Broca's area is found in the left inferior frontal gyrus and Wernicke's area is located in the left posterior superior temporal gyrus.

What do Brodmann's numbers refer to? ›

It is a classic of neurology: Brodmann's numbers are still used to indicate the location and function of cortical areas, and his trademark drawings of the human brain are reprinted wherever neuroscience is taught or practised.

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