Temporal lobe

Organisation of sensory output

The temporal lobes are involved in the primary organisation of sensory input. Those with temporal lobes lesions have difficulty placing words or pictures into categories.

Language can be affected by temporal lobe damage. Left temporal lesions disturb recognition of words. Right temporal damage can cause a loss of inhibition of talking.

The temporal lobes are highly associated with memory skills. Left temporal lesions result in impaired memory for verbal material. Right side lesions result in recall of non-verbal material, such as music and drawings.