Arcuate fasciculus

Brain: Arcuate fasciculus
Diffusion tensor imaging image of the brain showing the right and left arcuate fasciculus (Raf & Laf). Also shown are the right and left superior longitudinal fasciculus (Rslf & Lslf), and tapetum of corpus callosum (Ta).
Latin	fasciculus arcuatus
NeuroNames	ancil-540

The arcuate fasciculus (Latin, curved bundle) is the neural pathway connecting the posterior part of the temporoparietal junction with the frontal cortex in the brain and is now considered as part of the Superior longitudinal fasciculus.^{[citation needed]}

Neuroanatomy

While previously thought to connect Wernicke's area and Broca's area, new research demonstrates that the AF instead connects to posterior receptive areas with premotor/motor areas, and not to Broca's area.^[1]

The function of the arcuate fasciculus of the nondominant hemisphere is very little studied.^{[citation needed]}

Pathology

Damage to this pathway can cause a form of aphasia known as conduction aphasia, where auditory comprehension and speech articulation are preserved, but people find it difficult to repeat heard speech.

See also

• aphasia

References

External links

• http://www.lib.mcg.edu/edu/eshuphysio/program/section8/8ch15/s8c15_14.htm
• http://thebrain.mcgill.ca/flash/d/d_10/d_10_cr/d_10_cr_lan/d_10_cr_lan.html
• http://brain.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/reprint/awh622v1.pdf