Brodmann Areas Quiz: 15 Questions With Answers
Updated
Brodmann areas map brain structure to function. Areas 3,1,2 process touch; 4 controls movement; 6 plans motor actions; 17 is primary vision; 18/19 associate visual info; 22 comprehends language; 41/42 hear; 44/45 speak; 9/46 manage executive tasks.
This quiz tests your knowledge of the 15 key Brodmann areas that form the foundation of functional neuroanatomy. You'll identify locations and functions of areas 1-3, 4, 6, 17, 18/19, 22, 41/42, 44/45, and 9/46. Perfect for neuroscience students, psychology majors, and anyone curious about how the brain's cortex is organized.
Before starting, remember that Brodmann areas are numbered regions of the cerebral cortex defined by cytoarchitecture, but they also correlate with specific functions. Knowing where each area sits (e.g., precentral vs. postcentral gyrus) and what it does (sensory, motor, language, or executive) is the core of this quiz.
The questions
Which Brodmann areas make up the primary somatosensory cortex?
Where is Brodmann area 4 located?
What is the primary function of Brodmann area 4?
Brodmann area 6 is divided into which two main functional regions?
What role does Brodmann area 6 play in movement?
Brodmann area 17 is also known as what?
Where is Brodmann area 17 located?
What type of processing occurs in Brodmann areas 18 and 19?
Brodmann area 22 is essential for which cognitive function?
In which lobe is Brodmann area 22 located?
Brodmann areas 41 and 42 are located on which structure?
What is the function of Brodmann areas 41 and 42?
Brodmann areas 44 and 45 together are known as what?
What is the main function of Brodmann areas 44 and 45?
Brodmann areas 9 and 46 are part of which larger cortical region?
0 of 15 answered · 0 correct
Cheat sheet: key terms
| BA 3, 1, 2 | Primary somatosensory cortex in postcentral gyrus; processes touch, pressure, and proprioception. |
|---|---|
| BA 4 | Primary motor cortex in precentral gyrus; sends commands for voluntary movement. |
| BA 6 | Premotor cortex and supplementary motor area; involved in planning and sequencing movements. |
| BA 17 | Primary visual cortex (V1) in occipital lobe; detects basic visual features like edges and orientation. |
| BA 18 & 19 | Visual association areas; process motion, color, and form beyond primary vision. |
| BA 22 | Wernicke's area in superior temporal gyrus; critical for understanding spoken and written language. |
| BA 41 & 42 | Primary auditory cortex on Heschl's gyrus; processes pitch, loudness, and sound location. |
| BA 44 & 45 | Broca's area in inferior frontal gyrus; essential for speech production and grammar. |
Answers explained
Show all 15 answers
- Which Brodmann areas make up the primary somatosensory cortex? Areas 3, 1, and 2. Areas 3, 1, and 2 occupy the postcentral gyrus and receive touch information from the thalamus.
- Where is Brodmann area 4 located? Precentral gyrus. BA 4 is the primary motor cortex, found in the precentral gyrus of the frontal lobe.
- What is the primary function of Brodmann area 4? Voluntary movement execution. BA 4 sends descending motor commands to the spinal cord to control voluntary muscle contractions.
- Brodmann area 6 is divided into which two main functional regions? Premotor cortex and supplementary motor area. BA 6 includes the premotor cortex (lateral) and supplementary motor area (medial), both involved in motor planning.
- What role does Brodmann area 6 play in movement? Planning and preparing movements. BA 6 is active before movement onset, organizing sequences and preparing the motor system for action.
- Brodmann area 17 is also known as what? Primary visual cortex (V1). BA 17 is the primary visual cortex, located in the occipital lobe and responsible for basic visual processing.
- Where is Brodmann area 17 located? Along the calcarine sulcus in the occipital lobe. BA 17 lines the calcarine sulcus, receiving direct input from the lateral geniculate nucleus.
- What type of processing occurs in Brodmann areas 18 and 19? Higher-order visual processing like motion and color. BA 18 and 19 are visual association areas that build on V1 output to analyze complex visual features.
- Brodmann area 22 is essential for which cognitive function? Language comprehension. BA 22 is Wernicke's area, damage to which causes receptive aphasia (impaired understanding).
- In which lobe is Brodmann area 22 located? Temporal lobe. BA 22 sits on the superior temporal gyrus, part of the temporal lobe.
- Brodmann areas 41 and 42 are located on which structure? Heschl's gyrus (transverse temporal gyri). These areas form the primary auditory cortex, buried in the lateral sulcus on Heschl's gyrus.
- What is the function of Brodmann areas 41 and 42? Processing sound, including pitch and loudness. BA 41/42 receive tonotopically organized input from the medial geniculate nucleus and perform early auditory analysis.
- Brodmann areas 44 and 45 together are known as what? Broca's area. BA 44 (pars opercularis) and BA 45 (pars triangularis) form Broca's area in the inferior frontal gyrus.
- What is the main function of Brodmann areas 44 and 45? Speech production and grammar. Broca's area is critical for articulating words and processing syntax; damage causes expressive aphasia.
- Brodmann areas 9 and 46 are part of which larger cortical region? Dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. BA 9 and 46 occupy the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, supporting executive functions like working memory and planning.
See it in 3D: open the interactive brain and click any region, or ask the AI coach anything you missed.