{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,30]],"date-time":"2026-07-30T08:55:55Z","timestamp":1785401755900,"version":"3.56.0"},"reference-count":46,"publisher":"Frontiers Media SA","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2025,4,2]],"date-time":"2025-04-02T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1743552000000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["frontiersin.org"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["Front. Psychol."],"abstract":"<jats:sec><jats:title>Introduction<\/jats:title><jats:p>This study explores the anatomy and function of the inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus (IFOF), focusing on its role in language processing. Through a comprehensive systematic review and detailed anatomical dissections, we aim to elucidate the IFOF\u2019s anatomical organization, its contributions to language processing, and its complex three-dimensional configuration, ultimately enhancing the safety and precision of neurosurgical practices.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Methods<\/jats:title><jats:p>This study employed a two-part methodology: (1) anatomical dissections using Klinger\u2019s technique on three human brains, which were fixed and frozen; and (2) a systematic literature review adhering to PRISMA guidelines, with a search of the EMBASE and PubMed databases on January 1, 2025, analyzing 510 studies on IFOF anatomy and function, with a focus on its role in language processing and implications for neurosurgical practice.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Results<\/jats:title><jats:p>Anatomical dissections identified the IFOF as a prominent anterior\u2013posterior white matter tract with distinct dorsal and ventral components. The dorsal component links the pars triangularis and pars orbitalis of the frontal lobe to the superior parietal lobe and posterior occipital gyri, while the ventral component connects the inferior occipital gyrus and posterior basal temporal region to the dorsolateral prefrontal and orbitofrontal cortices. The IFOF was found to traverse through key areas, including the extreme capsule, insula, and claustrum, and was closely associated with the uncinate fasciculus. The systematic literature review included 15 studies, highlighting the IFOF\u2019s critical role in cognitive and linguistic functions, particularly in semantic language processing, reading, naming, and integrating visual information for meaning interpretation. It plays a key role in language comprehension by connecting posterior visual regions to anterior semantic areas. The IFOF also contributes to visual attention and spatial processing, underscoring its importance in contemporary linguistic models. Damage to the IFOF can cause semantic paraphasia, reading difficulties, spatial neglect, and aphasia, highlighting its crucial role in language and cognitive functioning.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Conclusion<\/jats:title><jats:p>The IFOF plays a pivotal role in integrating visual, motor, and semantic information, facilitating complex interactions between cognitive, linguistic, and visuospatial functions. Its dorsal component aids visuospatial integration, while the ventral component underpins semantic processing. The IFOF\u2019s anatomical and functional complexity underscores its critical consideration in neurosurgical planning.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.3389\/fpsyg.2025.1561482","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,4,2]],"date-time":"2025-04-02T06:24:13Z","timestamp":1743575053000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/crossmark-policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":12,"title":["From classic models to new pathways: unraveling the anatomy and function of the inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus in language processing"],"prefix":"10.3389","volume":"16","author":[{"given":"Pedro Aleixo","family":"Nogueira","sequence":"first","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Julia Franco","family":"Neiva","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Ma\u00edra Piani","family":"Couto","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Marcus Vinicius","family":"Giglio","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Marcos Vinicius Calfat","family":"Maldaun","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Andrei Fernandes","family":"Joaquim","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Enrico","family":"Ghizoni","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Cleiton","family":"Formentin","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1965","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,4,2]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"290","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jocn.2019.07.039","article-title":"Inferior Fronto-occipital fascicle anatomy in brain tumor surgeries: from anatomy lab to surgical theater","volume":"68","author":"Altieri","year":"2019","journal-title":"J. Clin. Neurosci."},{"key":"ref2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"369","DOI":"10.1016\/j.neuroimage.2007.08.031","article-title":"Motor and language DTI Fiber tracking combined with intraoperative subcortical mapping for surgical removal of gliomas","volume":"39","author":"Bello","year":"2008","journal-title":"Neuroimage"},{"key":"ref3","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"268","DOI":"10.1016\/j.neucir.2014.07.003","article-title":"Insular-opercular associative tracts: review of their anatomy and relevance for the trans-opercular approach to the insula","volume":"25","author":"Bucheli","year":"2014","journal-title":"Neurocirugia"},{"key":"ref4","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e100274","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0100274","article-title":"Q-ball of inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus and beyond","volume":"9","author":"Caverzasi","year":"2014","journal-title":"PLoS One"},{"key":"ref5","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"250","DOI":"10.3171\/2014.10.JNS132647","article-title":"Contemporary model of language organization: an overview for neurosurgeons","volume":"122","author":"Chang","year":"2015","journal-title":"J. Neurosurg."},{"key":"ref6","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"107182","DOI":"10.1016\/j.neuropsychologia.2019.107182","article-title":"The white matter architecture underlying semantic processing: a systematic review","volume":"136","author":"Cocquyt","year":"2020","journal-title":"Neuropsychologia"},{"key":"ref7","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"605","DOI":"10.23736\/S0390-5616.21.05360-1","article-title":"The inferior fronto-occipital fascicle: a century of controversies from anatomy theaters to operative neurosurgery","volume":"65","author":"de Benedictis","year":"2021","journal-title":"J. Neurosurg. Sci."},{"key":"ref8","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"453","DOI":"10.1177\/1073858413513502","article-title":"The language connectome: new pathways, new concepts","volume":"20","author":"Dick","year":"2014","journal-title":"Neuroscientist"},{"key":"ref9","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"120","DOI":"10.1016\/j.cortex.2011.04.029","article-title":"The \u201cfrontal syndrome\u201d revisited: lessons from electrostimulation mapping studies","volume":"48","author":"Duffau","year":"2012","journal-title":"Cortex"},{"key":"ref10","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"39","DOI":"10.3390\/neurosci5010003","article-title":"Moving towards an understanding of the role of the inferior Fronto-occipital fasciculus in language processing","volume":"5","author":"Eze","year":"2024","journal-title":"NeuroSci"},{"key":"ref11","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"678","DOI":"10.1227\/NEU.0b013e318282a361","article-title":"Double dissociation between visual recognition and picture naming: a study of the visual language connectivity using tractography and brain stimulation","volume":"72","author":"Gil-Robles","year":"2013","journal-title":"Neurosurgery"},{"key":"ref12","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"207","DOI":"10.1007\/s00429-023-02729-5","article-title":"Ventral and dorsal aspects of the inferior frontal-occipital fasciculus support verbal semantic access and visually-guided behavioural control","volume":"229","author":"Gonzalez Alam","year":"2024","journal-title":"Brain Struct. Funct."},{"key":"ref13","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"120664","DOI":"10.1016\/j.neuroimage.2024.120664","article-title":"Clinical characteristics of post-stroke basal ganglia aphasia and the study of language-related white matter tracts based on diffusion spectrum imaging","volume":"295","author":"Han","year":"2024","journal-title":"Neuroimage"},{"key":"ref14","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"E6","DOI":"10.3171\/2019.11.FOCUS19785","article-title":"Tractography and the connectome in neurosurgical treatment of gliomas: the premise, the progress, and the potential","volume":"48","author":"Henderson","year":"2020","journal-title":"Neurosurg. Focus."},{"key":"ref15","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3389\/fonc.2018.00572","article-title":"Language-eloquent white matter pathway tractography and the course of language function in glioma patients","volume":"8","author":"Ille","year":"2018","journal-title":"Front. Oncol."},{"key":"ref16","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"8432","DOI":"10.3389\/fneur.2021.648432","article-title":"Risk assessment by pre-surgical Tractography in left hemisphere low-grade gliomas","volume":"12","author":"Ius","year":"2021","journal-title":"Front. Neurol."},{"key":"ref17","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e9295","DOI":"10.1097\/MD.0000000000009295","article-title":"The allocentric neglect due to injury of the inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus in a stroke patient","volume":"97","author":"Jang","year":"2018","journal-title":"Medicine"},{"key":"ref18","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"13","DOI":"10.3389\/fonc.2023.1089787","article-title":"Preoperative individual-target transcranial magnetic stimulation demonstrates an effect comparable to intraoperative direct electrical stimulation in language-eloquent glioma mapping and improves postsurgical outcome: a retrospective fiber-tracking and electromagnetic simulation study","volume":"13","author":"Li","year":"2023","journal-title":"Front. Oncol."},{"key":"ref19","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"122","DOI":"10.1016\/j.neuchi.2016.10.004","article-title":"A surgical approach to the anatomo-functional structure of language","volume":"63","author":"Mandonnet","year":"2017","journal-title":"Neurochirurgie"},{"key":"ref20","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"691","DOI":"10.1016\/j.cortex.2009.07.015","article-title":"Anatomic dissection of the inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus revisited in the lights of brain stimulation data","volume":"46","author":"Martino","year":"2010","journal-title":"Cortex"},{"key":"ref21","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"563","DOI":"10.1002\/ca.22321","article-title":"Subcortical anatomy of the lateral association fascicles of the brain: a review","volume":"27","author":"Martino","year":"2014","journal-title":"Clin. Anat."},{"key":"ref22","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1081","DOI":"10.3171\/2014.11.JNS141992","article-title":"Subcortical anatomy as an anatomical and functional landmark in insulo-opercular gliomas: implications for surgical approach to the insular region","volume":"123","author":"Martino","year":"2015","journal-title":"J. Neurosurg."},{"key":"ref23","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"E190","DOI":"10.1093\/neuros\/nyaa463","article-title":"Predicting the extent of resection in low-grade glioma by using Intratumoral Tractography to detect eloquent fascicles within the tumor","volume":"88","author":"Mato","year":"2021","journal-title":"Neurosurgery"},{"key":"ref24","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"142","DOI":"10.3171\/2014.2.JNS131234","article-title":"Association of dorsal inferior frontooccipital fasciculus fibers in the deep parietal lobe with both reading and writing processes: a brain mapping study - case report","volume":"121","author":"Motomura","year":"2014","journal-title":"J. Neurosurg."},{"key":"ref25","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1003","DOI":"10.3758\/s13415-016-0448-x","article-title":"Individual differences in white matter microstructure predict semantic control","volume":"16","author":"Nugiel","year":"2016","journal-title":"Cogn. Affect. Behav. Neurosci."},{"key":"ref26","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"15","DOI":"10.3389\/fpsyg.2024.1417947","article-title":"Filling the gap: brief neuropsychological assessment protocol for glioma patients undergoing awake surgeries","volume":"15","author":"Ohy","year":"2024","journal-title":"Front. Psychol."},{"key":"ref27","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"971","DOI":"10.1007\/s00234-017-1874-3","article-title":"A diffusion spectrum imaging-based tractographic study into the anatomical subdivision and cortical connectivity of the ventral external capsule: uncinate and inferior fronto-occipital fascicles","volume":"59","author":"Panesar","year":"2017","journal-title":"Neuroradiology"},{"key":"ref28","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"4011","DOI":"10.1002\/hbm.26325","article-title":"Deficits in naming pictures of objects are associated with glioma infiltration of the inferior longitudinal fasciculus: a study with diffusion MRI tractography, volumetric MRI, and neuropsychology","volume":"44","author":"Papagno","year":"2023","journal-title":"Hum. Brain Mapp."},{"key":"ref29","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"144","DOI":"10.1016\/j.wneu.2016.12.120","article-title":"Three-dimensional anatomy of the white matter fibers of the temporal lobe: surgical implications","volume":"100","author":"Pescatori","year":"2017","journal-title":"World Neurosurg."},{"key":"ref30","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"15","DOI":"10.3389\/fnins.2021.683348","article-title":"Combining electrostimulation with Fiber tracking to stratify the inferior Fronto-occipital fasciculus","volume":"15","author":"Roux","year":"2021","journal-title":"Front. Neurosci."},{"key":"ref31","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e655","DOI":"10.1016\/j.wneu.2023.01.113","article-title":"Magnetic resonance Tractography and intraoperative direct electrical stimulation in eloquent area glioma surgery for 102 cases: a tertiary care center experience from Northwest India","volume":"172","author":"Sahoo","year":"2023","journal-title":"World Neurosurg."},{"key":"ref32","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"14","DOI":"10.3389\/fnins.2020.00225","article-title":"fMRI-targeted high-angular resolution diffusion MR Tractography to identify functional language tracts in healthy controls and glioma patients","volume":"14","author":"Sanvito","year":"2020","journal-title":"Front. Neurosci."},{"key":"ref33","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"42","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ibneur.2020.11.002","article-title":"Extreme capsule is a bottleneck for ventral pathway","volume":"10","author":"Shekari","year":"2021","journal-title":"IBRO Neurosci. Rep."},{"key":"ref34","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1139292","DOI":"10.3389\/fnhum.2023.1139292","article-title":"A narrative review of the anatomy and function of the white matter tracts in language production and comprehension","volume":"17","author":"Shekari","year":"2023","journal-title":"Front. Hum. Neurosci."},{"key":"ref35","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"6723","DOI":"10.1093\/cercor\/bhac538","article-title":"Robust associations between white matter microstructure and general intelligence","volume":"33","author":"Stammen","year":"2022","journal-title":"Cereb. Cortex"},{"key":"ref36","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"8075","DOI":"10.3390\/curroncol31120595","article-title":"A longitudinal multimodal imaging study in patients with Temporo-insular diffuse low-grade tumors: how the inferior Fronto-occipital fasciculus provides information on cognitive outcomes","volume":"31","author":"Tomasino","year":"2024","journal-title":"Curr. Oncol."},{"key":"ref37","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"102541","DOI":"10.1016\/j.nicl.2020.102541","article-title":"Towards a tractography-based risk stratification model for language area associated gliomas","volume":"29","author":"Tuncer","year":"2021","journal-title":"Neuroimage Clin."},{"key":"ref38","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"598","DOI":"10.1136\/jnnp.2007.126276","article-title":"Brain networks of spatial awareness: evidence from diffusion tensor imaging tractography","volume":"79","author":"Urbanski","year":"2008","journal-title":"J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatry"},{"key":"ref39","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1532","DOI":"10.1016\/j.neubiorev.2012.04.002","article-title":"A qualitative and quantitative review of diffusion tensor imaging studies in reading and dyslexia","volume":"36","author":"Vandermosten","year":"2012","journal-title":"Neurosci. Biobehav. Rev."},{"key":"ref40","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"129","DOI":"10.1007\/s00276-017-1966-0","article-title":"Inter-individual variations and hemispheric asymmetries in structural connectivity patterns of the inferior fronto-occipital fascicle: a diffusion tensor imaging tractography study","volume":"40","author":"Vassal","year":"2018","journal-title":"Surg. Radiol. Anat."},{"key":"ref41","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"106485","DOI":"10.1016\/j.clineuro.2021.106485","article-title":"Methodology for creating and validating object naming and semantic tests used by Verst-Maldaun language assessment during awake craniotomies","volume":"202","author":"Verst","year":"2021","journal-title":"Clin. Neurol. Neurosurg."},{"key":"ref42","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"109827","DOI":"10.1016\/j.pnpbp.2019.109827","article-title":"Structural alterations associated with suicide attempts in major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder: a diffusion tensor imaging study","volume":"98","author":"Wei","year":"2020","journal-title":"Prog. Neuro-Psychopharmacol. Biol. Psychiatry"},{"key":"ref43","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"8912","DOI":"10.3389\/fnins.2022.978912","article-title":"Association fiber tracts related to Broca\u2019s area: a comparative study based on diffusion spectrum imaging and fiber dissection","volume":"16","author":"Wu","year":"2022","journal-title":"Front. Neurosci."},{"key":"ref44","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1277","DOI":"10.3171\/CASE21277","article-title":"Prosopagnosia following nonlanguage dominant inferior temporal lobe low-grade glioma resection in which the inferior longitudinal fasciculus was disrupted preoperatively: illustrative case","volume":"2","author":"Young","year":"2021","journal-title":"J. Neurosurg. Case Lessons"},{"key":"ref45","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"6916","DOI":"10.3389\/fpsyt.2022.806916","article-title":"White matter tracts associated with deep brain stimulation targets in major depressive disorder: a systematic review","volume":"13","author":"Yu","year":"2022","journal-title":"Front. Psych."},{"key":"ref46","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"402","DOI":"10.1007\/s11065-021-09482-8","article-title":"Correlations between dual-pathway white matter alterations and language impairment in patients with aphasia: a systematic review and Meta-analysis","volume":"31","author":"Zhang","year":"2021","journal-title":"Neuropsychol. Rev."}],"container-title":["Frontiers in Psychology"],"original-title":[],"link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/articles\/10.3389\/fpsyg.2025.1561482\/full","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2025,4,2]],"date-time":"2025-04-02T06:24:14Z","timestamp":1743575054000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/articles\/10.3389\/fpsyg.2025.1561482\/full"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2025,4,2]]},"references-count":46,"alternative-id":["10.3389\/fpsyg.2025.1561482"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/fpsyg.2025.1561482","relation":{},"ISSN":["1664-1078"],"issn-type":[{"value":"1664-1078","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2025,4,2]]},"article-number":"1561482"}}