These divisions of the brain are useful to know the functions of each area.
In this article we will see what exactly these plots of the brain are, what they describe and what parts of the brain allow us to differentiate from each other. In addition, we will know the function or functions of each of Brodmann’s areas.
- We recommend you read: “Human brain: its main parts and functions”
What are Brodmann areas?
The brain is one of the most complex sets of organs in the body, and that is why it is so difficult to study: the very fact that makes it fascinating makes it very difficult to understand its functioning, something very common in science.
However, just because something is very convoluted and difficult to describe doesn’t mean we can’t create simplified representations, maps that allow us to divide a set into relatively simple parts.
This is precisely what psychiatrist Korbinian Brodmann did at the beginning of the twentieth century, when he proposed to map the cerebral cortex and divide it into plots that fit together, covering the entirety of this part of the brain that is visible to the naked eye.
The result of this division was what we know today as Brodmann’s areas, which are often used to specify the location of certain parts of the brain when we talk about them.
Specifically, the Brodmann areas are delimits whose boundaries were established around 1909 by Korbinian Brodmannfrom the observation of differences in the composition in the tissues of the cortex of the brain.
Thus, it is not a classification focused on the different functions of these areas (something impossible to carry out, given the means available at that time), nor is it a description of lines or plots observable to the naked eye and naturally present in the brain.
The central criterion around which this mapping of the brain surface revolves is the analysis of organic matter and the pointing out of physical differences between one part and the parts contiguous to it. Specifically, Brodmann looked at the way in which the cells were distributed and detected several areas that acted as the “center” of all those that were in the same area, crowding each other or orienting themselves in that direction.
In other words, he studied the structures that made up those cells, a field of biology known as cytoarchitecture.
Summary of Brodmann’s 47 Areas: A Map of the Cerebral Cortex
Next we will see what the Brodmann areas are and what neurobiological functions are attributed to them , although it must be taken into account that in practice they all work together, coordinating with each other.
Brodmann Area 1
This first Brodmann’s area is attached to the posterior part of the Rolando fissure, in the parietal lobe, and is part of the primary somatosensory cortex, integrating information about tactile, proprioceptive and temperature sensory stimuli from the rest of the body.
Brodmann Area 2
Although its cytoarchitecture is different, this parcel is also part of the primary somatosensory area and has the same functions.
Brodmann Area 3
The functions of this area are the same as those of the previous two areas, since it is also in the primary somatosensory area of the brain.
Brodmann Area 4
It is located in the primary motor area, on the opposite side of the Rolando fissure from the previous parcels, and thus in the frontal lobe . Processes information related to action plans that can cause muscle movements
Brodmann Area 5
It is located in the secondary somatosensory area, behind Brodmann’s area 2, operates with proprioceptive information and communicates with the hippocampus and the cerebral tonsils .
Brodmann Area 6
It is responsible for planning chains of action that can give way to movement orders sent to the muscles. It is in the premotor cortex and in the supplementary motor cortex.
Brodmann Area 7
It is in the secondary somatosensory area, and is related to the coordination between sensory data and motor functions.
Brodmann Area 8
We can find Brodmann’s area 8 in the secondary motor cortex, and it is involved in eye movement.
Brodmann Area 9
This part of the brain is in the prefrontal cortex, and its work has to do with the management of executive functions.
Brodmann Area 10
It is also located in the prefrontal area, and is also involved in executive functions such as memory recall, concentration, and reflection.
Brodmann Area 11
Located in an area somewhat lower than the previous two, the orbitofrontal region, this area also participates in executive functions.
Brodmann Area 12
It is also part of the orbitofrontal cortex, participating in executive functions related to the modulation of information from the limbic system.
Brodmann Area 13
It is located in the insula, the part of the cortex that is hidden behind the temporal lobe. It participates in the connection between the prefrontal region and the limbic system, and intervenes in the functions related to the articulation of language.
Brodmann Area 14
Brodmann’s area 14 is also in the insula and processes olfactory information and that of visceral proprioception.
Brodmann Area 15
It is in the area of the insula closest to the front of the temporal lobe, and encompasses part of that area of the temporal lobe. Receive information about blood pressure.
Brodmann Area 16
We can also find it in the insula, and it processes various stimuli of proprioception, such as temperature or pain. It is also involved in the coordination of muscle movements necessary for swallowing.
Brodmann Area 17
It is at the back of the occipital lobe , which is already in the area of the brain furthest from the forehead. It is in the primary visual cortex and is involved in the processing of visual information.
Brodmann Area 18
This is located in the secondary visual area, and processes visual information somewhat more “worked” than that used by area 13. It detects patterns that help to represent three-dimensional images.
Brodmann Area 19
We can find it in the lower part of the occipital lobe, in the visual associative cortex. It integrates visual information to create more complex visual representations than those produced by the previous two.
Brodmann Area 20
We find it in the ventral part of the temporal lobe, in one of the nerve pathways through which visual information travels. It integrates visual information so that we can recognize what we see.
Brodmann Area 21
It is in the middle temporal gyrus, above Brodmann’s anterior area. It processes auditory information and participates in the ability to understand language.
Brodmann Area 22
It occupies the superior temporal gyrus, and contains Wernicke’s area, involved in the ability to articulate language in written, gestured, or spoken form.
Brodmann Area 23
It is in the cingulate cortex (visible in the interhemispheric fissure), at its rear. It is related to the limbic system, and specifically with the functions of emotional memory.
Brodmann Area 24
In this case we find it in the anterior part of the cingulum, in front of the anterior Brodmann’s area. It also intervenes in the limbic system, in the regulation of emotions.
Brodmann Area 25
It is located in the subgenual area, below the corpus callosum and near the orbitofrontal cortex. In addition to being related to the emotional state and the sensation of sleep, it processes motor information from the movements made by the muscles located below the knees.
Brodmann Area 26
It is in the ectosplenial area of the cingulate cortex, that is, in the most posterior part of the cingulum. It is believed to be involved in declarative memory.
Brodmann Area 27
It is part of the parahippocampal gyrus, and works on functions related to head orientation.
Brodmann Area 28
We found this patch in the entorhinal cortex, part of the inner face of the temporal lobe. Integrates olfactory information to make it recognizable, and also intervenes in memory.
Brodmann Area 29
It is in the retrosplenial area, behind area 26, and is involved in cognitive processes related to memory.
Brodmann Area 30
We find this part of the cerebral cortex just behind the previous one, in the retrosplenial area, and its functions are also related to memory.
Brodmann Area 31
We can find it above the cingulum, in the cingulate gyrus, and its functions are linked to emotional memory. It is believed that Capgras syndrome, in which the feeling of familiarity with what we know well is lost, has to do with a defect in the functioning of this area.
Brodmann Area 32
It is in the anterior cingulate cortex, and participates in strategic cognitive processes, such as the inhibition of impulsive behavior and decision-making in contexts of uncertainty.
Brodmann Area 33
It’s also part of the cingulum, and it’s just above the corpus callosum, or rather, in the sulcus callosum, a crack between the corpus callosum and the cerebral cortex. Its functions are very similar to that of area 32.
Brodmann Area 34
It is located between the entorhinal cortex and the superior temporal gyrus. Works on processes of olfactory memory and taste memory.
Brodmann Area 35
It is part of the perirhinal cortex, and is involved in the recognition of elements and the evocation of memories.
Brodmann Area 36
We find it attached to the anterior area, and it is part of the fusiform gyrus (specifically, its part in the temporal lobe). Here we find the parahippocampal formation. It is involved in orientation processes and in the ability to move being aware of the three-dimensional space that surrounds us. It is also involved in memory.
Brodmann Area 37
It is divided between the fusiform gyrus and the inferior temporal gyrus. It intervenes in the processing of information coming from the outside and of an abstract nature, as in the functions linked to the recognition of faces and the understanding of metaphors.
Brodmann Area 38
It is known as the temporopolar area, since it is at the temporal pole, the rostral end of the temporal lobe. It is believed to be linked to the processing of emotions.
Brodmann Area 39
It is in the angular gyrus, a part of the brain that intervenes in the comprehension of writing (transforming symbolic elements into phonemes) and in calculation.
Brodmann Area 40
It corresponds to the supramarginal gyrus, part of Wernicke’s area, and like the previous one, it is found in the parietal lobe. In a similar way to what happens with area 39, it allows the development of reading and writing skills, and it is believed that it is also involved in tactile learning.
Brodmann Area 41
It is in the primary auditory cortex, and processes information related to sounds.
Brodmann Area 42
Both its location and its functions correspond to those of area 41, although in this case it corresponds to the secondary auditory cortex, so that it works with more processed information.
Brodmann Area 43
It is located in the area of the insula attached to the Sylvian fissure and below the Rolando fissure, the postcentral gyrus. It reacts to pressure from the ossicles of the middle ear and to taste stimuli.
Brodmann Area 44
It is in the frontal lobe and constitutes part of Broca’s area, involved in the articulation of language.
Brodmann Area 45
This part of the cortex is also part of Broca’s area, overlapping with the pars triangularis. It is involved in tasks related to the domain of semantics, both in production and in language comprehension.
Brodmann Area 46
It forms the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, and its functions have to do with the use of working memory and the ability to concentrate on a task.
Brodmann Area 47
It is in the inferior frontal gyrus, in its orbital part (closest to the eye sockets). It intervenes in the tasks carried out by the Broca area, and in the processing of musical information.
References
- García-Porrero Pérez, JA & Hurlé González, JM (2014). Human Neuroanatomy. Madrid: Pan American Medical Editorial.
- Hamani, C.; Mayberg, H.; Stone S., Laxton A.; Haber S.; Lozano A.M. (2011). The subcallosal cingulate gyrus in the context of major depression. Biological Psychiatry. 69 (4): pp. 301 – 309.
- Keller, S.S., Crow, T., Foundas, A., Amunts, K., & Roberts, N. (2009). Broca’s area: Nomenclature, anatomy, typology and asymmetry. Brain and Language, 109: pp. 29 – 48.
- Purves, D. et. to the. (2015). Neuroscience. Madrid: Pan American Medical Editorial.
To the classic question “what do you do?” I always answer “basically I am a psychologist”. In fact, my academic training has revolved around the psychology of development, education and community, a field of study influenced my volunteer activities, as well as my first work experiences in personal services.