New insights into the functions of the superior temporal cortex

One of the mysteries of the brain is the role of superior temporal cortex. Recent data have shed new light on the function of this area, supporting the idea that the rostral part of the superior temporal cortex acts as an interface between the dorsal and ventral streams of visual input processing to allow the exploration of both object-related and space-related information. The superior temporal cortex is also involved in processing species-specific vocalizations. It seems that, during evolution, the formerly bilateral functions of the superior temporal cortex have been segregated in the human brain between the left hemisphere, which subserves language, and the right hemisphere, which mediates spatial awareness and exploration.

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