This meta-analysis of 60 neuroimaging studies of working memory (WM) reveals distinct neural patterns for different types of storage material (spatial, verbal, and object) and executive functions (continuous updating, order memory, and information manipulation). The posterior cortex shows a dorsal-ventral dissociation between spatial and nonspatial storage, but not in the frontal cortex. Verbal WM is left-lateralized, while spatial WM is right-lateralized in the frontal cortex. Executive processes generally activate more dorsal frontal regions than storage-only tasks, but not all executive functions follow this pattern. Brodmann areas (BAs) 6, 8, and 9 in the superior frontal cortex are involved in continuous updating and order memory. Right BAs 10 and 47 in the ventral frontal cortex are involved in manipulation. BA 7 in the posterior parietal cortex is involved in all types of executive function. A potential fourth executive function is selective attention to stimulus features, which activates the medial prefrontal cortex (BA 32) in storage tasks. Working memory is a system for maintaining and manipulating information, essential for cognitive tasks. Baddeley's model includes three subsystems: phonological loop, visuospatial sketch pad, and central executive. The meta-analysis examines the neural basis of WM, considering material type and executive function. The study addresses controversies about the organization of the frontal lobes, particularly how WM components map onto brain systems. It finds that spatial and object information are processed in dorsal and ventral streams, respectively. Verbal WM is left-lateralized, while spatial WM is right-lateralized. Executive processes involve different brain regions, with dorsal areas for manipulation and ventral areas for rehearsal. The study uses cluster analysis and chi-square tests to identify brain regions associated with different WM functions. Results show that BA 7 is most involved in executive functions, while BA 32 is involved in selective attention. The study also finds that executive demand increases right lateralization in the frontal cortex for spatial WM. The findings suggest that different types of WM and executive functions are associated with distinct neural regions, with some overlap and interactions between them. The study highlights the importance of considering both material type and executive function in understanding WM.This meta-analysis of 60 neuroimaging studies of working memory (WM) reveals distinct neural patterns for different types of storage material (spatial, verbal, and object) and executive functions (continuous updating, order memory, and information manipulation). The posterior cortex shows a dorsal-ventral dissociation between spatial and nonspatial storage, but not in the frontal cortex. Verbal WM is left-lateralized, while spatial WM is right-lateralized in the frontal cortex. Executive processes generally activate more dorsal frontal regions than storage-only tasks, but not all executive functions follow this pattern. Brodmann areas (BAs) 6, 8, and 9 in the superior frontal cortex are involved in continuous updating and order memory. Right BAs 10 and 47 in the ventral frontal cortex are involved in manipulation. BA 7 in the posterior parietal cortex is involved in all types of executive function. A potential fourth executive function is selective attention to stimulus features, which activates the medial prefrontal cortex (BA 32) in storage tasks. Working memory is a system for maintaining and manipulating information, essential for cognitive tasks. Baddeley's model includes three subsystems: phonological loop, visuospatial sketch pad, and central executive. The meta-analysis examines the neural basis of WM, considering material type and executive function. The study addresses controversies about the organization of the frontal lobes, particularly how WM components map onto brain systems. It finds that spatial and object information are processed in dorsal and ventral streams, respectively. Verbal WM is left-lateralized, while spatial WM is right-lateralized. Executive processes involve different brain regions, with dorsal areas for manipulation and ventral areas for rehearsal. The study uses cluster analysis and chi-square tests to identify brain regions associated with different WM functions. Results show that BA 7 is most involved in executive functions, while BA 32 is involved in selective attention. The study also finds that executive demand increases right lateralization in the frontal cortex for spatial WM. The findings suggest that different types of WM and executive functions are associated with distinct neural regions, with some overlap and interactions between them. The study highlights the importance of considering both material type and executive function in understanding WM.