Arcuate fasciculus
Overview
The arcuate fasciculus (Latin, curved bundle) is the neural pathway connecting the posterior part of the temporoparietal junction with the frontal cortex in the brain and is now considered as part of the Superior longitudinal fasciculus.
Function
In the cerebral hemisphere specialised for language, this pathway is thought to connect Broca's area to Wernicke's area.
It is thought to connect areas of the brain involved in the generation and understanding of language.
Pathology
Damage to this pathway can cause a form of aphasia known as conduction aphasia, where auditory comprehension and speech articulation are preserved, but people find it difficult to repeat heard speech.