In most people, aphasia results from damage to which hemisphere?

• A. Left Hemisphere
• B. Right Hemisphere
• C. Both Hemispheres
• D. Occipital

Answer: (A)

Language is largely localized in the left hemisphere for most people, especially those who are right-handed. Aphasia occurs when this left-hemisphere language network—areas like Broca’s for speech production and Wernicke’s for comprehension—is damaged, leading to difficulties in speaking, understanding, reading, or writing. Damage to the right hemisphere can affect aspects of communication such as tone, rhythm, and social use of language, but it doesn’t produce the classic aphasia pattern. Occipital damage impacts vision, not language. In some individuals with atypical brain organization—more common among left-handers—the pattern might differ, but the usual cause of aphasia is left-hemisphere injury.