What is sensory aphasia?

• A. Also known as receptive aphasia, a patient cannot understand oral or written forms of communication
• B. Inability to speak clearly
• C. Inability to read
• D. Difficulty with memory

Answer: (A)

Sensory aphasia, also called receptive aphasia, happens when understanding language is impaired. Damage to the language comprehension area in the left hemisphere (Wernicke’s area) disrupts the ability to grasp spoken and written words. The person may speak with normal or even fluent rhythm, but what they say can be nonsensical or irrelevant, and they often don’t realize there’s a communication problem. They won’t understand instructions or questions, and reading is also impacted.

As you review, note that not understanding spoken or written language points to sensory/receptive aphasia. Inability to speak clearly describes expressive (Broca’s) aphasia, inability to read describes alexia, and difficulty with memory reflects memory issues rather than aphasia.