The term planum temporale (PTE) refers to a portion of the superior temporal gyrus of the human. Defined by dissection, it is located in the temporal bank of the lateral fissure (ltf) posterior and lateral to the transverse temporal gyrus (TTG). It is separated from the TTG by the transverse temporal limb of the lateral fissure (ltftt) ( Duvernoy-1992 ). The fact that it is larger in the left temporal lobe (TLB) than the right is thought to relate to the lateralization of speech ( Zilles-1990 ). Constituting a portion of Wernicke's area, it is found in great apes but not in the macaque ( Hopkins-1998b ). And it is not found in the smooth cerebral cortex (CTX) of the rat or mouse ( NeuroNames ). Updated 2 Sep 2024.