Expressive function: Which pattern is typical of nonfluent (Broca's) aphasia?

Expressive function: Which pattern is typical of nonfluent (Broca's) aphasia?

• A. Speech is slow and halting with relatively good comprehension.
• B. Speech is fluent with preserved comprehension.
• C. Speech is nonverbal and limited to single words.
• D. Speech is normal.

Answer: (A)

Nonfluent (Broca's) aphasia shows slow, effortful, halting speech with relatively preserved comprehension. This pattern happens because production areas in the left frontal lobe (Broca’s area) are damaged, so forming and articulating speech becomes difficult, producing short, telegraphic phrases. Yet understanding spoken language remains comparatively intact, so the person can follow commands and grasp meaning better than they can express it. This contrasts with fluent aphasia, where speech flows smoothly but comprehension is impaired, or with more severe presentations where expression is limited to single words or is nonverbal. The described pattern—slow, halting speech plus good comprehension—is classic for Broca’s aphasia.

Nonfluent (Broca's) aphasia shows slow, effortful, halting speech with relatively preserved comprehension. This pattern happens because production areas in the left frontal lobe (Broca’s area) are damaged, so forming and articulating speech becomes difficult, producing short, telegraphic phrases. Yet understanding spoken language remains comparatively intact, so the person can follow commands and grasp meaning better than they can express it. This contrasts with fluent aphasia, where speech flows smoothly but comprehension is impaired, or with more severe presentations where expression is limited to single words or is nonverbal. The described pattern—slow, halting speech plus good comprehension—is classic for Broca’s aphasia.