The former requires the patient to provide the name of objects that you point to. During these tests, listen for paraphasic errors such as literal, verbal, or neologistic paraphasias. It's usually obvious when errors occur. Subtle comprehension deficits can be unmasked by such techniques. Repetition is tested by having the patient repeat words, numbers, phrases, and sentences of increasing complexity.
Language deficits have great localizing value.
Fluent speech suggests that these anterior structures are preserved. Paraphasic naming errors are most common with fluent aphasias, and the damage is usually in the temporal or parietal lobes. Confrontation naming impairment is not very localizable, and poor word list generation can be seen with many different types of cortical and subcortical dysfunction. The posterior third of the superior temporal lobe and adjacent portions of the inferior parietal lobule may contain Wernicke's area, the major center for language comprehension. Damage to Broca's, Wernicke's or other peri-Sylvian areas can produce impairment in repetition.