Neurophysiology: language areas: practice question

A Physiology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Physiology · Neurophysiology: language areas

Sample item

After a stroke in the inferior division of the middle cerebral artery, a woman speaks fluently with paraphasic errors and cannot understand commands. Which area is damaged?

APosterior part of the superior temporal gyrusBAngular gyrus aloneCInferior frontal gyrusDArcuate fasciculus alone

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

A. Posterior part of the superior temporal gyrus

Wernicke area in the posterior superior temporal gyrus is needed for language comprehension. Damage produces fluent, meaningless speech with poor comprehension and repetition. Broca area lesions give non-fluent speech with preserved comprehension.

Option by option

A. Posterior part of the superior temporal gyrus (correct)
Correct. Loss of Wernicke area causes fluent aphasia with poor comprehension.
B. Angular gyrus alone
An angular gyrus lesion produces alexia with agraphia, and not global comprehension loss.
C. Inferior frontal gyrus
Broca area damage causes effortful, non-fluent speech with intact comprehension.
D. Arcuate fasciculus alone
An arcuate fasciculus lesion causes conduction aphasia, with intact comprehension but poor repetition.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

Questions about this Physiology question

What is the answer to this Physiology question?

The best answer is A, Posterior part of the superior temporal gyrus. Wernicke area in the posterior superior temporal gyrus is needed for language comprehension.

Why is "Angular gyrus alone" not the answer?

An angular gyrus lesion produces alexia with agraphia, and not global comprehension loss.

Why is "Inferior frontal gyrus" not the answer?

Broca area damage causes effortful, non-fluent speech with intact comprehension.

Why is "Arcuate fasciculus alone" not the answer?

An arcuate fasciculus lesion causes conduction aphasia, with intact comprehension but poor repetition.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Neurophysiology: language areas in Physiology. Damage produces fluent, meaningless speech with poor comprehension and repetition. Broca area lesions give non-fluent speech with preserved comprehension.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Neurophysiology: language areas?

For each system, sketch the key graph (pressure–volume loop, oxygen dissociation curve, nephron handling) and explain it aloud. Then use the flashcards and the other Physiology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.