Final answer:
The right planum temporale is primarily responsible for processing music due to its role in pitch perception. The temporal lobe, where this structure is situated, handles auditory input and the right hemisphere is particularly involved in this aspect of music comprehension.
Step-by-step explanation:
The right planum temporale has a special role in processing music. This area of the brain shows a significant response to musical stimuli. Considering the broader scope of the temporal lobe's functions, the right hemisphere is known to be superior in pitch perception, which is vital to music comprehension and appreciation.
When we look at the structures within the temporal lobe, we understand that it is involved in processing auditory input, and parts of it are integral in speech, memory, and emotion processing. This encompasses the auditory cortex as well as associated areas like Wernicke's area, which is involved in language comprehension.
Regarding language function, it is localized in the left cerebral hemisphere for the majority of people. This lateralization helps explain why certain cognitive and sensory tasks are processed differently in each hemisphere. Gazzaniga's research indices variations in hemispheric dominance for different functions; however, for music, it's predominantly the right hemisphere with the right planum temporale playing a central role.