The temporal lobe (lobe – from the Greek lobos, temporal – from the Latin temporalis, meaning “which lasts only a time”) constitutes one of the regions of the brain, located laterally and behind the brain.

Temporal lobe position. The temporal lobe is located at the level of the temporal bone on the lateral and lower part of the brain (1) (2) (3). It is separated from the other lobes by different grooves:

• The lateral sulcus, or Sylvius sulcus, separates it from the frontal and parietal lobe.
• The occipito-temporal furrow separates it from the occipital lobe at the back.

Structure du lobe temporal. The temporal lobe has secondary and tertiary grooves, making it possible to form convolutions called gyri. The main temporal lobe gyri are the superior temporal gyrus, the middle temporal gyrus and the inferior temporal gyrus.

The cerebral cortex is associated with mental and sensory-motor activities. It is also involved in skeletal muscle contraction. These different functions are distributed in the different lobes of the brain (1).

Function of the temporal lobe. The temporal lobe essentially has somatosensory functions. It includes in particular the sensitive areas of hearing, smell, taste, and also part of Wernicke’s area (1) (2) (3).

Of degenerative, vascular or tumor origin, certain pathologies can develop in the temporal lobe and affect the central nervous system.

Stroke. Cerebrovascular accident, or stroke, is manifested by a blockage, such as the formation of blood clots or the rupture of a cerebral blood vessel (4). This pathology can impact the functions of the temporal lobe.

Head trauma. It corresponds to a shock to the skull that can cause brain damage (5).

Multiple sclerosis. This pathology is an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system. The immune system attacks the myelin, the sheath surrounding nerve fibers, causing inflammatory reactions. (6)

Brain tumor. Benign or malignant tumors can develop in the brain and in particular in the temporal lobe. (7)

Degenerative cerebral pathologies. Certain pathologies can lead to changes in nervous tissue in the brain.

• Alzheimer’s disease. It results in a modification of cognitive faculties with in particular a loss of memory or reasoning. (8)
• Parkinson disease. It is manifested in particular by a tremor at rest, a slowing down and a reduction in the range of motion. (9)

Drug treatments. Depending on the pathology diagnosed, certain treatments may be prescribed such as anti-inflammatory drugs.

Thrombolyse. Used during strokes, this treatment consists of breaking up the thrombi, or blood clots, with the help of drugs. (4)

Surgical treatment. Depending on the type of pathology diagnosed, surgery may be performed.

Chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapy. Depending on the stage of the tumor, these treatments can be implemented.

Physical examination. First, a clinical examination is performed in order to observe and assess the symptoms perceived by the patient.

Medical imaging examination. To assess brainstem damage, a brain and spine CT scan or brain MRI may be done.

Biopsy. This examination consists of a sample of cells.

Lumbar puncture. This exam allows the cerebrospinal fluid to be analyzed.

Wernicke area. Located at the level of the temporal lobe, Wernicke’s area was identified by the German neurologist Carl Wernicke in the 1870s. This area is associated with speech processing.