Aphasia

 

Aphasia is broadly classified as expressive (Broca's aphasia) or receptive (Wernicke's aphasia).

A patient with Broca's aphasia may have a partial or total inability to produce speech. They will often understand others but will have difficulty expressing themselves. Broca's aphasia can also affect written communication.

A patient with Wernicke's aphasia may have a partial or total inability to understand spoken language. Wernicke's aphasia can also affect a patient's understanding of written communication. Language may also be fluent but make no sense.

Global aphasia occurs when the symptoms of severe Broca's aphasia and Wernicke's aphasia combine. There is almost total impairment in all forms of communication i.e. understanding language (reading and spoken word) and expressing language (speech and writing).