Temporal Lobe: Definition, Functions, Location & Damage

The temporal lobe, located near the temples, is the second largest lobe of the human cerebrum, accounting for almost one-fourth of the brain’s volume. It processes auditory information, forms memories, comprehends language, and regulates emotions through key structures like the hippocampus and primary auditory cortex.

Functions

The main functions of the temporal lobe include understanding language, memory acquisition (e.g., declarative and long-term memory), face recognition, object recognition, perception, and processing auditory information.

The temporal lobes process sensory input, primarily auditory and visual signals, working in conjunction with other brain regions via the corpus callosum.

While both temporal lobes share some functions, they have distinct specializations:

Did you know? The specific temporal lobe roles can vary among individuals, especially between left-handed and right-handed people.

Left Temporal Lobe

The left temporal lobe, typically the most dominant in people, is associated with understanding language, learning, memorizing, forming speech, and remembering verbal information.

1. Auditory Processing: It processes auditory information, deciphering sounds and speech.
2. Language Comprehension: One of its most well-known regions is Wernicke’s area, critical for understanding spoken language.
3. Verbal Memory: It’s involved in retaining and recalling verbal information and facts.
4. Speech Production: While Broca’s area (located in the frontal lobe) is primary for speech production, the left temporal lobe contributes to the formulation and coherence of speech.
5. Music Perception: Especially the early stages of processing melodies.
6. Emotional Response: It plays a role in interpreting and producing emotional responses, especially those linked to language.

Right Temporal Lobe

The right temporal lobe, typically the least dominant in people, is associated with learning and memorizing non-verbal information (e.g., drawings and music), recognizing information, and determining facial expressions.

1. Auditory Processing: Like the left temporal lobe, it processes auditory information.
2. Visual Memory: It helps recognize and process visual stimuli, particularly complex visual patterns.
3. Processing of Non-verbal Sounds includes recognizing different tones or pitches and understanding environmental sounds.
4. Emotional Processing: The right temporal lobe plays a role in processing emotions and understanding the emotional content in sounds, such as the emotional tone in a person’s voice.
5. Facial Recognition: It is particularly involved in recognizing and interpreting faces.
6. Spatial Processing: This involves understanding spatial orientation and the layout of scenes.

Substructures of the temporal lobes

Below will discuss some of the main substructures of the temporal lobes:

Superior Temporal Gyrus

The superior temporal gyrus is situated at the top of the temporal lobes, somewhat above the ears. It contains other areas with specialized functions.

Some areas are vital in auditory processing, including language processing. Other areas specialize in processing a combination of frequencies, while others specialize in processing changes in amplitude or frequency.

The superior temporal gyrus has been implicated as being critical in social cognition (Jou, Minshew, Keshaven, Vitale, & Harden, 2010), and in the perceptions of emotions from facial expressions (Radua et al., 2010).

Did you know? The superior temporal gyrus may play a functional role in the ‘ cocktail party effect ’- the ability to focus auditory attention on a particular stimulus whilst filtering out other auditory stimuli (Vander Ghinst et al., 2016).

Wernicke’s Area

Wernicke’s area is believed to be situated in the posterior part of the temporal lobe, frequently found in the left hemisphere.

It takes its name from Carl Wernicke, who worked with patients with language impairments, to distinguish separate regions for language comprehension and production.

Wernicke’s area is particularly important for language development and the comprehension of speech, giving meaning to speech, and the written word.

In addition to understanding the sounds of words, this region helps integrate their meaning across different senses—for example, connecting the word “apple” to its shape, color, and taste. This process, known as semantic integration, is key to how we make sense of the world.

Auditory Cortex

The auditory cortex, the main area responsible for processing auditory information, is located within the temporal lobe and is part of the superior temporal gyrus.

It receives input from the ears through the brainstem and processes this sensory information into meaningful units such as speech and words.

The signals are then transmitted back to the ears and can be interconnected with other parts of the cerebral cortex.

This area of the temporal lobes is especially important in processing the semantics of language and vision.

It is also important for performing basic and higher functions relating to hearing and the ability to switch languages.

The auditory cortex also blends information from multiple senses—such as combining what we hear with what we see—so we can better understand speech in noisy environments, like following a conversation at a crowded party.

Limbic System

The temporal lobe is a significant part of the limbic system. The limbic system is a group of structures deep within the brain involved in processing and regulating emotions, memory, and motivation.

One of the substructures, the hippocampus, is a seahorse-shaped area essential in the formation of new memories.

The hippocampus is important for the early storage of long-term memories and is involved in the transition of long-term memory to even more permanent memory.

Another substructure of the limbic system, the amygdala, is known as the emotional center of the brain. This is involved in processing emotions, fear, and reward, and plays a role in the fight-or-flight response.

The amygdala is involved in the modulation of memory strengthening, especially emotional memories. In essence, the stronger the emotional arousal of a memory, the more likely it will be retained.

Did you know? Researchers found superior temporal gyrus activity in individuals experiencing insight-based problem-solving, also known as the ‘Aha!’ moment (Jung-Beeman et al., 2004).

Damage to the Temporal Lobes

Below are some of the key symptoms that can be associated with damage to the temporal lobes:

• Problems with speech production and comprehension (Wernicke’s aphasia)
• Difficulty with verbal and non-verbal memory formation
• Experience of visual, auditory, or olfactory hallucinations
• Inability to recognize familiar faces (prosopagnosia)
• Significant reduction in auditory processing abilities
• Disruption of both recent and distant memories
• Changes in emotional regulation and behavior control
• Problems with spatial orientation and navigation

Common Causes & Associated Conditions

The temporal lobe can be damaged through various means:

• Physical trauma (head injuries from accidents or sports)
• Stroke or reduced blood flow to the area
• Brain infections (encephalitis, meningitis)
• Tumors (both cancerous and benign)
• Prolonged seizure activity
• Lack of oxygen to the brain

Several neurological conditions are associated with temporal lobe dysfunction:

1. Temporal Lobe Epilepsy

This is the most common type of epilepsy that has been found to impact memory, executive functions, and language abilities (Allone et al., 2017).

Temporal lobe epilepsy may also cause changes in behavior and emotional processing.

2. Alzheimer’s Disease

Early signs of Alzheimer’s Disease may be identifiable in the medial temporal lobe (Lowndes & Savage, 2007).

This makes sense since memory problems are typically the first symptom of this condition, suggesting the hippocampus may have come to damage.

3. Autism Spectrum Disorders

The superior temporal sulcus, which plays a role in interpreting social and speech input, may be different in those who are autistic.

This can provide an explanation for the differences in social cognition and language processing in these individuals (Redcay, 2008).

4. Schizophrenia

There were found to be structural abnormalities in the superior temporal gyri in individuals with Schizophrenia (Kasai et al., 2003).

This may explain why damage to this area is linked to key symptoms of this condition such as auditory hallucinations.

Protecting Your Temporal Lobes

While not all temporal lobe damage can be prevented, several steps may help protect brain health:

• Wear appropriate protective gear during sports activities
• Use seatbelts and follow vehicle safety guidelines
• Maintain healthy blood pressure to prevent stroke
• Stay mentally active through learning and social engagement
• Get adequate sleep to support memory consolidation
• Manage stress levels through relaxation techniques
• Exercise regularly to maintain good blood flow to the brain