What area of the brain is primarily involved in expressive language?

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Prepare for UCF SPA3104 Neural Bases of Communication exam. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions with hints and explanations. Excel in your academic journey!

Broca's area is the region of the brain primarily involved in expressive language, which encompasses the production of speech and the ability to form grammatically correct sentences. This area is located in the left frontal lobe, typically in the posterior part of the frontal gyrus, and plays a crucial role in motor control needed for speaking, as well as the planning and execution of verbal expression.

Individuals with damage to Broca's area may exhibit Broca's aphasia, characterized by slow, labored speech and difficulties in grammatical construction, despite having relatively intact comprehension skills. This highlights the area’s specific function in the expressive aspects of language.

In contrast, while Wernicke's area is critical for language comprehension, the angular gyrus is involved in the integration of sensory information with language processing, and Heschl's gyrus is primarily responsible for the perception of auditory stimuli. Each of these areas plays a role in language, but Broca's area is the key region for the expression of language, making it the correct choice.