Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 24, 2026
09:29
Stereotactically-guided Ablation of the Rat Auditory Cortex, and Localization of the Lesion in the Brain
Published on: October 11, 2017
Anatomical organization of the auditory cortex
1Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences, Department of Psychology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37203, USA. troy.a.hackett@vanderbilt.edu
Journal of the American Academy of Audiology
|April 11, 2009
Summary
Researchers are developing a new model for human auditory cortex organization. This model integrates findings from comparative studies to better understand auditory processing areas in the brain.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Auditory Neuroscience
- Comparative Neuroanatomy
Background:
- Auditory cortex organization in humans has been studied for over a century.
- Existing anatomical maps, like Brodmann's (1909), are widely used but lack validation and completeness.
- A standardized model for human auditory cortex has yet to be adopted.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent comparative studies on auditory cortex organization.
- To outline the development of a working model for human auditory cortex.
- To identify common structural and functional features across species.
Main Methods:
- Review of functional imaging and electrophysiological studies.
- Comparative analysis of auditory cortex organization in humans and other mammals.
- Integration of data to derive a unified model.
Main Results:
- Emerging commonalities in structural and functional organization of the auditory cortex across species.
- Identification of key areas contributing to auditory processing.
- Foundation for a new, validated model of human auditory cortex.
Conclusions:
- A new working model for human auditory cortex organization is emerging from comparative research.
- This model aims to provide a more accurate and complete understanding than historical maps.
- Continued comparative studies are crucial for refining our understanding of auditory processing.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:15Auditory Pathway
Auditory pathways constitute the complex neural circuits responsible for transmitting and interpreting auditory information from the peripheral auditory system to the brain. Sound waves are initially captured by the outer ear, funneled through the ear canal, and reach the tympanic membrane (eardrum). These vibrations are transmitted via the middle ear's ossicles to the inner ear's cochlea.
When viewed cross-sectionally, the cochlea reveals the scala vestibuli and scala tympani flanking the...
When viewed cross-sectionally, the cochlea reveals the scala vestibuli and scala tympani flanking the...
01:13The Cochlea
The cochlea is a coiled structure in the inner ear that contains hair cells—the sensory receptors of the auditory system. Sound waves are transmitted to the cochlea by small bones attached to the eardrum called the ossicles, which vibrate the oval window that leads to the inner ear. This causes fluid in the chambers of the cochlea to move, vibrating the basilar membrane.
01:16Anatomy of the Ear
Auditory sensation, commonly called hearing, involves the transformation of sonic waves into neural impulses facilitated by the structures of the auditory organ. The prominent, flesh-like structure on the side of the head, called the auricle, directs sound waves towards the auditory canal. The auricle is often mislabeled as the pinna, a term more aligned with mobile structures like a feline's external ear. The auditory canal penetrates the cranium via the external auditory meatus of the...
01:14Motor and Sensory Areas of the Cortex
The cerebral cortex, the brain's outermost layer, is pivotal in processing complex cognitive tasks, emotions, and various sensory inputs and executing voluntary motor activities. This intricate structure is divided into three primary functional areas: the motor areas, sensory areas, and association areas.
Motor Areas
The motor areas located in the frontal lobe are central to controlling voluntary movements. This region is further subdivided into the primary motor cortex and the premotor cortex.
Motor Areas
The motor areas located in the frontal lobe are central to controlling voluntary movements. This region is further subdivided into the primary motor cortex and the premotor cortex.
01:23Somatosensory, Motor, and Association Cortex
The somatosensory cortex in the parietal lobes is crucial for interpreting sensory data such as touch, temperature, and proprioception. The somatosensory cortex, situated in the parietal lobes, plays a vital role in interpreting sensory information like touch, temperature, and proprioception—awareness of body position. This specialized brain region features an organized structure wherein neurons at the top primarily process sensations originating from the lower body. In contrast, those at the...
01:31Hearing
When we hear a sound, our nervous system is detecting sound waves—pressure waves of mechanical energy traveling through a medium. The frequency of the wave is perceived as pitch, while the amplitude is perceived as loudness.