Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurse (CRRN) Practice Exam

A patient with a posterior lesion of the first temporal gyrus of the left hemisphere likely has which condition?

1. Broca's aphasia

2. Global aphasia

3. Wernicke's aphasia

4. Conduction aphasia

The correct answer is: Wernicke's aphasia

The presence of a posterior lesion located in the first temporal gyrus of the left hemisphere is indicative of Wernicke's aphasia. This area is primarily associated with language comprehension and is crucial for processing spoken and written language. Patients with Wernicke's aphasia typically exhibit difficulty understanding language, which affects both their ability to comprehend spoken words and their ability to respond meaningfully. They may generate fluent speech characterized by normal grammar and syntax; however, the content may lack coherence, often resulting in nonsensical phrases. This is why the connection between the location of the lesion and the symptoms aligns with Wernicke's aphasia. Understanding the function of the left hemisphere regions involved in language helps clarify why this type of aphasia arises from lesions in that specific temporal area. The first temporal gyrus, when compromised, disrupts the neural pathways necessary for comprehending language, solidifying Wernicke's aphasia as the correct condition linked to this lesion.