Dendritic organization of the anterior speech area

Golgi studies revealed significant differences in dendritic patterns between neurons of the left and right opercular regions of the frontal lobe (Broca's speech area on the dominant side) and between cells of the left and right precentral areas (the orofacial motor zones) just behind. Although total dendritic length of the basilar dendritic array seemed characteristic of an area independent of side, a larger proportion of the length on the left (dominant) side was made up of higher order (4, 5, 6) dendrite branches, and lower order (1, 2, 3) segments predominated on the right. The pattern was partially reversed in non-right-handed patients. These findings can be interpreted as indicating an early preponderance of dendrite growth in the non-speech-gifted hemisphere followed by enhanced dendrite growth in the dominant hemisphere coincident with the beginning of conceptualization and speech function.