The superior temporal gyrus is the top of the three horizontal ridges on the outer side of each temporal lobe, just below the lateral (Sylvian) fissure and somewhat above the ear. It holds the primary auditory cortex and Wernicke’s area. [1]
The model has two shapes per side for this gyrus, a front and a back piece; both are lit here. The transverse (Heschl’s) gyri folded into the lateral fissure have no shape of their own. [2][3]
The 3D brain needs JavaScript. The text below still says where the superior temporal gyrus is and what it does.
Slice
Opens cut by a front (coronal) slice through the superior temporal gyrus. Drag to turn, pinch or scroll to zoom, tap any part to name it; .
It is bounded by the lateral sulcus above and the superior temporal sulcus below (not always present or visible); behind, its limit is an imaginary line drawn from the preoccipital notch to the lateral sulcus. [1]
Its upper surface turns into the lateral fissure, where the transverse temporal (Heschl’s) gyri run across it; they hold the primary auditory cortex, Brodmann areas 41 and 42. [1][3]
Wernicke’s area lies at its back end, in the posterior part of Brodmann area 22, usually in the left hemisphere. [1][4]
Around the back end of the lateral fissure it is continuous with the supramarginal gyrus of the parietal lobe. [5]
What it does
It is essential for hearing: the primary auditory cortex on it is the first area of the cortex to receive sound. [1][6]
Neighbouring cells in the primary auditory cortex respond to neighbouring sound frequencies, forming an orderly map of pitch (tonotopy). [6]
It is a key structure for language: Wernicke’s area at its back is linked to understanding spoken words. [1][4]
It is also involved in social cognition and in perceiving emotion in faces. [1]
Connections
Sound reaches the primary auditory cortex from the medial geniculate nucleus of the thalamus. [6]
The arcuate fasciculus, a bundle of nerve fibres, links Wernicke’s area at its back with Broca’s area in the frontal lobe. [7]
It has connections with the amygdala and the prefrontal cortex, regions also involved in social cognition. [1]
Other names
STG, first temporal gyrus. It holds Brodmann areas 41 and 42 (primary auditory cortex) and Brodmann area 22. [1]
Size
On this model the left superior temporal gyrus measures about 106 mm front to back, 49 mm top to bottom and 43 mm side to side (the box it fits in, not its volume); the right one is its mirror image. [2]
Centre of the left superior temporal gyrus compared with the centre of the left middle temporal gyrus: 11 mm further forward, 14 mm higher; 18 mm apart in a straight line. [2]
Centre of the left superior temporal gyrus compared with the centre of the left insula: 22 mm further back, 10 mm lower, 14 mm further from the midline; 28 mm apart in a straight line. [2]
Facts describe anatomy and normal function only. The 3D model is the adult male BodyParts3D brain (credits and licence); real brains vary in size and shape, so its measurements describe one model, not anyone’s brain.