Heschl's gyrus is associated with which Brodmann area?

• A. BA 41
• B. BA 17
• C. BA 39
• D. BA 44

Answer: (A)

Heschl's gyrus houses the primary auditory cortex. In the Brodmann map, the primary auditory area is Brodmann area 41, located on the transverse temporal gyrus inside the Sylvian fissure. This region is the first cortical station for auditory information coming from the ears via the thalamus (medial geniculate nucleus) and is organized tonotopically, meaning different frequencies map to different parts of the gyrus. That combination of anatomical position and function makes Brodmann area 41 the best match for Heschl's gyrus.

For context, Brodmann area 17 is the primary visual cortex in the occipital lobe, area 39 is the angular gyrus involved in language and number processing, and area 44 is part of the inferior frontal gyrus linked to language production (Broca's area).