Our brain is a large and complex set of organs , made up of different structures which fulfil different functions in the organism. The most visible of all of them is the most external and developed in the human being, allowing its existence from the processing of information coming from the senses to the implementation of complex cognitive abilities: the cerebral cortex.

But the cerebral cortex does not have the same structure over its entire surface, nor does it have the same functions at all points. This has led to imaginary divisions that limit different regions of the cortex. And among all the existing ones, the most known and used is the one of the Brodmann’s areas .

A map of the parts of the cerebral cortex

The Brodmann areas are the set of imaginary divisions into which the cerebral cortex can be divided and which allow the identification of specific regions of the cortex.

This division was proposed by psychiatrist Korbinian Brodmann in 1909, not being random divisions but based on the existence of differences in the composition, structure and arrangement of cells in different areas of the cortex.

The author’s objective was to generate a topographical classification from the study of anatomical characteristics, focusing on cytoarchitecture and generating spatial divisions of the crust in order to elaborate theory and be able to apply it in the field of pathology. The studies were carried out with a large number of animal species, but would only describe in detail the human brain and that of other apes .

In the case of the human being, Brodmann made a division in a total of 47 zones or areas, although some of them can subdivide until forming a total of 52.

Brodmann’s areas currently form a classification of brain areas that is better known and used worldwide , having allowed a mapping of the brain and being very useful both when investigating specific regions and when directing and performing different medical interventions.

The different areas of Brodmann

In the original classification, Brodmann divided the cerebral cortex into up to 47 different areas . Specifically, we can find the following areas.

Brodmann Area 1

Brodmann area 1 can be found just after the central groove or Rolando’s cleft. is part of the primary somatosensory area and works with the somesthetic information coming from the body.

Brodmann Area 2

This area is also part of the primary somatosensory cortex, possessing the same functions as the previous one.

Brodmann Area 3

Along with the two previous ones, it is part of the primary somatosensory cortex. It also collects and processes information on state and somesthetic sensations such as touch or proprioception.

Brodmann Area 4

This brain area corresponds largely to the primary motor area, being of great importance when sending the skeletal muscles the order to contract or dilate.

Brodmann Area 5

This area of Brodmann is part of the secondary somatosensory area, contributing to the processing of somnesthetic information.

Brodmann Area 6

Region in which the premotor area is located, thanks to which we can plan our movements before carrying them out and in which several basic movement programs are stored.

Brodmann Area 7

Like 5, area 7 is part of the secondary somatosensory cortex, helping to process and integrate information from the primary somatosensory cortex. It allows the recognition of the stimuli by capturing and allowing the understanding of general characteristics of them.

Brodmann Area 8

It is part of the secondary motor cortex, in this case having special relevance in the movement of the muscles that control the eyes.

Brodmann Area 9

This area is part of the prefrontal, specifically the dorsolateral prefrontal. It is closely linked to the executive functions and the sense of self-awareness, and works with aspects such as empathy, memory, attention, processing and emotional management. In part it is also a tertiary motor area, influencing for example verbal fluency.

Brodmann Area 10

Like the previous one, it is part of the prefrontal (being its most anterior part) and specifically to the frontopolar region. It is linked to aspects such as planning, introspection, memory and capacity to divide attention .

Brodmann Area 11

Like 9 and 10, area 11 is a tertiary association area that is part of the prefrontal, participating in higher cognitive functions and skills. Specifically, it is part of the orbitofrontal region, linked to the management of our social interaction and the management and adaptation of our behavior, inhibiting and controlling aggression, for example.

Brodmann Area 12

This area also includes part of the frontal orbit , like the previous one.

Brodmann Area 13

This area has the particularity that it can be difficult to see with the naked eye. It’s part of the island, in the front. It helps to coordinate the movements necessary for language. It also connects the prefrontal and limbic systems, relating to sexual and emotional behaviour.

Brodmann Area 14

This area has practically the same functions as the previous one, although it is also linked to the processing of olfactory and visceral information .

Brodmann Area 15

Linked to processing of blood pressure and carotid pressure information, as well as panic attacks. Initially Brodmann would not find this area (nor the previous one) in humans but in other apes, although later research has found that we possess similar structures.

Brodmann Area 16

This area occupies most of the island, helping to process issues such as pain, temperature, phonological information or the ability to swallow.

Brodmann Area 17

Primary visual area. This is the first area of the cortex that begins to process the visual information of the lateral geniculated nucleus. It also has a mapping or retinotopic representation of the eye and the visual field that allows further and more precise processing. It also obtains the first impressions of color, orientation or movement .

Brodmann Area 18

One of the extra-striated crusts that are part of the secondary visual cortex. It allows 3-dimensional vision and light intensity detection.

Brodmann Area 19

It is also one of the extra-striated or secondary visual cortexes, and in this case it also allows visual recognition of stimuli by linking to memory.

Brodmann Area 20

It is also part of the ventral visual pathway or what-if pathway (which allows you to see color and shape). In short, it allows us to know what we are seeing. It includes the lower temporal gyrus.

Brodmann Area 21

Area 21 is an auditory association area , which is part of the well-known Wernicke area. It participates, among other things, in the understanding of language.

Brodmann Area 22

When we think of the Wernicke area itself, we are thinking mostly of this area. It is therefore linked to the ability to understand language, helping to transform and link auditory information with its meaning.

Brodmann Area 23

It is part of the area of the cortex linked to emotional information and memory, being connected to the limbic system.

Brodmann Area 24

Like the previous one, it participates in the processing and perception of emotions and its link with behaviour (connecting with the orbitofrontal and limbic system).

Brodmann Area 25

Located near the cincture, in the subgenual area. It is linked to movement below the knee, mood, appetite, or sleep. The part closest to the prefrontal is linked to self-esteem.

Brodmann Area 26

It is related to autobiographical memory and is located in the cingulate circle .

Brodmann Area 27

This brain region, like the previous one, is linked to processes related to memory (being close to the hippocampus), as well as to the brain areas that allow the perception and identification of odors. In fact, it contains part of the so-called primary olfactory cortex.

Brodmann Area 28

Associative bark that, like the previous one, participates in both memory processes and in the integration of information from olfactory perception. Also part of the entorhinal cortex is in this area , the latter being a region that allows information from the rest of the brain to pass to the hippocampus and vice versa.

Brodmann Area 29

This area, in the retro-splenary part of the cincture, is also linked to memory, an example of which is the evocation of experiences.

Brodmann Area 30

Associative area like the previous one and with similar functions. Located in the sub-plenary part of the cincture. It is linked to memory and learning, as well as to conditioning.

Brodmann Area 31

Also in the cingulum circumvolution, this area is linked to the processing of memory and emotions, participating in the feeling of familiarity.

Brodmann Area 32

Part of the parietal and almost the frontal part, in the dorsal part of the cingulate gyrus, this region participates in cognitive processes such as decision making and response inhibition .

Brodmann Area 33

Like the previous one, this area relates to decision making, as well as pain perception, emotional processing and motor planning.

Brodmann Area 34

Uncus can be found in this region. It is therefore an area that would be part of the primary olfactory cortex. The perception of disgust or the olfactory and gustatory memory are also aspects in which it participates.

Brodmann Area 35

In it is the perirrinal cortex. It participates in memory, being linked to unconscious memories. Also in the recognition of images.

Brodmann Area 36

Brodmann Area 36 helps to encode and retrieve autobiographical memories . It also helps to process information related to spatial location. It contains the parahippocampal cortex.

Brodmann Area 37

It integrates part of the fusiform gyrus. Proceed multimodal information This area has links to face recognition, sign language or understanding metaphors, among others.

Brodmann Area 38

Another area of association, linked to both memory and emotions. Also to semantic processing of information .

Brodmann Area 39

In this area of Brodmann we find the angular turn, involved in the comprehension of language both verbal and written or in the calculation.

Brodmann Area 40

On this occasion we find the supramarginal twist as one of the most relevant structures. Together with the angular rotation, it allows the ability to link graphemes and phonemes, which is essential for reading and writing. It is also linked to learning and tactile and motor recognition.

Brodmann Area 41

Area corresponding to the primary auditory cortex, the first core of the cortex to process auditory information. It detects changes in frequency and participates in the localization of the sound source.

Brodmann Area 42

Secondary auditory cortex , as well as the Wernicke area It allows the information obtained from the primary auditory cortex to be processed at a higher level.

Brodmann Area 43

Located at the back of the island and practically in the Silvio’s fissure, this is the part of the gustatory crust that allows us to process the information about taste and flavour at the level of the crust.

Brodmann Area 44

Together with area 45 it forms the Broca’s area, allowing the production of language at the spoken and written level. Area 44 corresponds to the pars opercularis of Broca’s area, also linked to intonation, gesticulation and movements necessary to produce language.

Brodmann Area 45

Together with the previous one forms the area of Broca , essential for the production of fluent speech. Area 45 includes the pars triangularis, linked to semantic processing as well as gesticulation, facial expression and intonation.

Brodmann Area 46

In the lower frontal contour, it is part of the dorsolateral prefrontal, and its role is relevant in terms of attention and working memory.

Brodmann Area 47

Also called pars orbitalis, it also participates in the Broca area and has an important involvement in language. Specifically in the syntax of language, as well as that of music.

Bibliographic references:

  • D’Amicis, F., Hofer, P. and Rockenhaus, F. (2011) The automatic brain: The power of the unconscious.

  • Kumar DR, Aslinia F, Yale SH, Mazza JJ (2014). “Jean-Martin Charcot: The Father of Neurology”. Clin Med Res.

  • Martin JB (002). “The integration of neurology, psychiatry, and neuroscience in the 21st century”. The American Journal of Psychiatry.