superiortemporal

Superiortemporal usually refers to the superior temporal gyrus, a curved strip of cortex along the lateral surface of the temporal lobe. It lies beneath the Sylvian fissure and extends from the temporal pole toward the posterior region near the planum temporale. The gyrus includes the transverse temporal gyrus, also known as Heschl’s gyrus, which contains the primary auditory cortex, surrounded by auditory association cortex that processes more complex sounds.

Functionally, the superior temporal gyrus is central to auditory perception and language-related processing. The left STG is typically dominant for language, with the posterior portion housing areas involved in language comprehension. The right STG contributes to processing nonlinguistic auditory features such as speech prosody and music. The region participates in recognizing speech sounds, distinguishing auditory patterns, and integrating auditory input with higher-level cognitive processes.

Clinical relevance includes its involvement in language and auditory disorders. Lesions or surgical disruption of the STG can produce deficits in speech perception, comprehension, or auditory memory, and are considered carefully in plans for treating temporal lobe epilepsy. Wernicke’s area, classically located in the posterior portion of the left STG, is a well-known language-critical region. Imaging and electrophysiology study often reveal functional asymmetries between hemispheres, reflecting individual variability in language lateralization.

Anatomically, the STG connects with frontal language areas and other temporal lobe regions, forming networks for speech, melody, and social communication. The planum temporale and surrounding STG subregions exhibit variation across individuals and species, contributing to differences in auditory and linguistic processing.