temporal lobe

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Views of the cerebral hemispheres, showing motor and sensory areas.

temporal lobe

anatomy

Also known as: temporal cortex

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July 14, 2026

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Views of the cerebral hemispheres, showing motor and sensory areas.

The temporal lobe is a significant part of each cerebral hemisphere, located in front of the occipital lobe. It plays a crucial role in processing auditory information, with specific areas dedicated to hearing. Damage to the dominant temporal lobe can impair the comprehension of spoken language, while the non-dominant temporal lobe is important for appreciating non-language sounds like music. Both temporal lobes are involved in memory functions; damage to one may have minor effects, but bilateral damage can lead to permanent memory loss. Irritation of the temporal lobe can also cause hallucinations, either auditory or olfactory.123

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autism
Neurodevelopmental features
…has been observed is the temporal lobe. The temporal lobe specializes in the processing of auditory stimuli and houses the Wernicke area, a region of motor neurons involved in speech comprehension.
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…has been observed is the temporal lobe. The temporal lobe specializes in the processing of auditory stimuli and houses the Wernicke area, a region of motor neurons involved in speech comprehension.
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déjà vu
…may be associated with the temporal lobe of the brain, where memories are stored. The temporal lobe aids with recalling words, understanding language and emotions, and remembering faces and locations. Déjà vu may be related to a disruption of communication between the temporal lobe and the hippocampus, a part of…
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…may be associated with the temporal lobe of the brain, where memories are stored. The temporal lobe aids with recalling words, understanding language and emotions, and remembering faces and locations. Déjà vu may be related to a disruption of communication between the temporal lobe and the hippocampus, a part of…
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epilepsy
Partial-onset seizures
…the frontal lobe or the temporal lobe.
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…the frontal lobe or the temporal lobe.
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nervous system disease
Cerebral hemispheres
Damage to the dominant temporal lobe, located inferior to the lateral sulcus, results in difficulty with comprehension of spoken speech. The right temporal lobe (usually nondominant for speech) has a special role in the appreciation of nonlanguage sounds such as music. Irritation of a temporal lobe may lead to…
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Damage to the dominant temporal lobe, located inferior to the lateral sulcus, results in difficulty with comprehension of spoken speech. The right temporal lobe (usually nondominant for speech) has a special role in the appreciation of nonlanguage sounds such as music. Irritation of a temporal lobe may lead to…
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spatial memory
Areas of the brain involved in spatial memory
the hippocampus and surrounding medial temporal lobes, which are also known to play a key role in episodic memory (the memory system for specific events). Various approaches have been used to elucidate the involvement of these areas in spatial memory. Work in rodents, for example, has utilized mazelike environments in…
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the hippocampus and surrounding medial temporal lobes, which are also known to play a key role in episodic memory (the memory system for specific events). Various approaches have been used to elucidate the involvement of these areas in spatial memory. Work in rodents, for example, has utilized mazelike environments in…
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human nervous system
Lobes of the cerebral cortex
The temporal lobe, inferior to the lateral sulcus, fills the middle fossa, or hollow area, of the skull. The outer surface of the temporal lobe is an association area made up of the superior, middle, and inferior temporal gyri. Near the margin of the lateral sulcus,…
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The temporal lobe, inferior to the lateral sulcus, fills the middle fossa, or hollow area, of the skull. The outer surface of the temporal lobe is an association area made up of the superior, middle, and inferior temporal gyri. Near the margin of the lateral sulcus,…
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