BACKGROUND: Understanding the functions of different brain areas has represented a major endeavor of contemporary neurosciences. Modern neuroimaging developments suggest cognitive functions are associated with networks rather than with specific areas. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this paper was to analyze the connectivity of Brodmann area (BA) 46 (anterior middle frontal gyrus) in relation to language. METHODS: A meta-analysis was conducted to assess the language network in which BA46 is involved. The DataBase of Brainmap was used; 19 papers corresponding to 60 experimental conditions with a total of 245 subjects were included. RESULTS: Our results suggest the core network of BA46. The localization and modules involved suggest BA46 participation in a “frontal language production system" (or extended Broca's system). The depicted BA46 connectivity is also concordant with a minor role in language semantics and language understanding. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that BA46 plays a central role in the language production system, most likely related to its executive control.
BACKGROUND: Understanding the functions of different brain areas has represented a major endeavor of contemporary neurosciences. Modern neuroimaging developments suggest cognitive functions are associated with networks rather than with specific areas. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this paper was to analyze the connectivity of Brodmann area (BA) 46 (anterior middle frontal gyrus) in relation to language. METHODS: A meta-analysis was conducted to assess the language network in which BA46 is involved. The DataBase of Brainmap was used; 19 papers corresponding to 60 experimental conditions with a total of 245 subjects were included. RESULTS: Our results suggest the core network of BA46. The localization and modules involved suggest BA46 participation in a “frontal language production system" (or extended Broca's system). The depicted BA46 connectivity is also concordant with a minor role in language semantics and language understanding. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that BA46 plays a central role in the language production system, most likely related to its executive control.