Broca and Wernicke are No More

Pick up any neurobiology textbook and it will show two language nodes connected via a single tract. Paul Broca and Carl Wernicke showed that language production and comprehension are sub served by two distinct brain regions, which came to be known as Broca’s and Wernicke’s area, respectively. Another neurology pioneer, Norman Geschwind described how these two regions are joined by a key connective tract, the arcuate fasciculus. This is the “Classic Model” of the neurological basis of language function, a revolution in our understanding since nineteenth century, and hugely influential to this day. But according to a compelling new paper in Brain and Language, the Classic Model is obsolete and no longer fit for purpose. What’s more, its legacy and the continued use of its terminology is hampering progress in the field, in terms of research and medical practice.