Editing Cerebral cortex (section)

====Association areas====
[[File:Cortical areas that have been shown to be involved in speech processing fnhum-06-00099-g005.jpg|thumb|Cortical areas involved in speech processing.]]
The association areas are the parts of the cerebral cortex that do not belong to the primary regions. They function to produce a meaningful [[perception|perceptual experience]] of the world, enable us to interact effectively, and support abstract thinking and language. The [[parietal lobe|parietal]], [[Temporal lobe|temporal]], and [[occipital lobe]]s – all located in the posterior part of the cortex – integrate sensory information and information stored in memory. The [[frontal lobe]] or prefrontal association complex is involved in planning actions and movement, as well as abstract thought. Globally, the association areas are organized as distributed networks.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Yeo BT, Krienen FM, Sepulcre J, Sabuncu MR, Lashkari D, Hollinshead M, Roffman JL, Smoller JW, Zöllei L, Polimeni JR, Fischl B, Liu H, Buckner RL | title = The organization of the human cerebral cortex estimated by intrinsic functional connectivity | journal = Journal of Neurophysiology | volume = 106 | issue = 3 | pages = 1125–1165 | date = September 2011 | pmid = 21653723 | pmc = 3174820 | doi = 10.1152/jn.00338.2011 }}</ref> Each network connects areas distributed across widely spaced regions of the cortex. Distinct networks are positioned adjacent to one another yielding a complex series of interwoven networks. The specific organization of the association networks is debated with evidence for interactions, hierarchical relationships, and competition between networks.

In humans, association networks are particularly important to language function. In the past it was theorized that language abilities are localized in [[Broca's area]] in areas of the left [[inferior frontal gyrus]], [[Brodmann area 44|BA44]] and [[Brodmann area 45|BA45]], for language expression and in [[Wernicke's area]] [[Brodmann area|BA22]], for language reception. However, the processes of language expression and reception have been shown to occur in areas other than just those structures around the [[lateral sulcus]], including the frontal lobe, [[basal ganglia]], [[cerebellum]], and [[pons]].<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Price CJ | title = The anatomy of language: contributions from functional neuroimaging | journal = Journal of Anatomy | volume = 197 Pt 3 | issue = Pt 3 | pages = 335–359 | date = October 2000 | pmid = 11117622 | pmc = 1468137 | doi = 10.1046/j.1469-7580.2000.19730335.x }}</ref>