Temporalparietal

Temporalparietal is a term used to refer to the region of the cerebral cortex at the boundary between the temporal and parietal lobes on the brain's lateral surface. In common usage it is described as the temporoparietal region, and more specifically the temporoparietal junction (TPJ). The TPJ is classically located near the posterior superior temporal sulcus and extends into parts of the angular and supramarginal gyri.

Anatomically, it includes portions of the inferior parietal lobule, the posterior superior temporal gyrus, and adjacent cortex. In many brain maps the TPJ encompasses parts of Brodmann areas 22, 39 and 40, though exact boundaries vary among individuals and imaging methods. The region is a convergence zone for multisensory information and higher-level cognition.

Functionally, the temporoparietal region is associated with social cognition, including theory of mind and perspective-taking, as well as attention reorientation and the integration of auditory, visual, and somatosensory cues. It helps distinguish self from others and is involved in processing the sense of agency. It also participates in language-related tasks in some contexts.

Clinical relevance: disruptions or lesions in the temporoparietal junction can affect attention and social perception, and lesions may contribute to neglect syndromes. Functional differences in TPJ activity have been reported in autism spectrum disorders and in various neuropsychiatric conditions. The region is also a site of interest in epilepsy mapping and in studies of altered self-perception during electrical stimulation in some cases.

Development and imaging: Functional imaging demonstrates TPJ involvement in tasks requiring theory of mind and attention reorientation; developmental studies show changes across childhood and adolescence.