sensory dysphasia

Last reviewed 01/2018

A sensory dysphasia is caused by a lesion of the dominant temporoparietal cortex - specifically Wernicke's area - in the posterior part of the first temporal gyru.

Sensory dysphasia is characterised by:

• the patient has trouble understanding what has been said to them, e.g. they are unable to execute commands, such as: "When I clap my hands, and not before, touch your left ear with your right hand". Note that the command must be delivered with no non-verbal communication. Also, beware of hemiplegia.
• the patient's speech is fluent but disorganised.
• if the lesion is posterior to Wernicke's area, it may cause dyslexia.