Heschl’s gyrus is associated with which cortical area?

Heschl’s gyrus is associated with which cortical area?

• A. Primary visual cortex
• B. Primary auditory cortex
• C. Primary somatosensory cortex
• D. Premotor cortex

Answer: (B)

Heschl’s gyrus marks the primary auditory cortex—the first cortical area to receive and begin processing sound. It sits on the transverse temporal gyrus in the superior temporal plane of the temporal lobe and is typically present in both hemispheres. Auditory information from the ears reaches this region via the thalamus (the medial geniculate nucleus) and is organized tonotopically, meaning different frequencies map to specific locations along the gyrus. This specialization for processing sound distinguishes it from the other options: the primary visual cortex lies in the occipital lobe along the calcarine sulcus; the primary somatosensory cortex is the postcentral gyrus in the parietal lobe; and the premotor cortex is located in the frontal lobe, anterior to the primary motor cortex.

Heschl’s gyrus marks the primary auditory cortex—the first cortical area to receive and begin processing sound. It sits on the transverse temporal gyrus in the superior temporal plane of the temporal lobe and is typically present in both hemispheres. Auditory information from the ears reaches this region via the thalamus (the medial geniculate nucleus) and is organized tonotopically, meaning different frequencies map to specific locations along the gyrus. This specialization for processing sound distinguishes it from the other options: the primary visual cortex lies in the occipital lobe along the calcarine sulcus; the primary somatosensory cortex is the postcentral gyrus in the parietal lobe; and the premotor cortex is located in the frontal lobe, anterior to the primary motor cortex.