Intermediate
Technical
In the Industry Vocabulary Test
aphasia
Pronunciation: uh-FAY-zhuh
A language disorder that affects a person's ability to communicate, typically caused by brain damage.
Full Definition
Aphasia is an acquired communication disorder that impairs a person's ability to process language, including speaking, understanding, reading, and writing. It most commonly results from stroke, brain injury, or neurological disease affecting the language centers of the brain, typically in the left hemisphere. Different types include Broca's aphasia, Wernicke's aphasia, and global aphasia, each affecting different aspects of language function.
Usage
Usage note: Distinguish from dysphasia (milder form) and apraxia (motor speech disorder).
In Context
- "Following the stroke, the patient developed Broca's aphasia with significant difficulty in speech production." — Neurological assessment
- "Speech therapy interventions for aphasia should begin within the first 48 hours post-stroke when possible." — Treatment guideline
Also known as
language disorder
speech disorder
Don't confuse with
dysphasia
apraxia
dysarthria