Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 10, 2026

13:26
Measuring Connectivity in the Primary Visual Pathway in Human Albinism Using Diffusion Tensor Imaging and Tractography
Published on: August 11, 2016
Re-evaluation of sexual dimorphism in human corpus callosum
S Oka1, O Miyamoto, N A Janjua
1Department of Oral Surgery, Kagawa Medical University, Miki, Japan.
Neuroreport
|May 13, 1999
Summary
Sexual dimorphism in the human corpus callosum (CC) was investigated using MRI morphometry. Significant differences in CC orientation were found between males and females, confirming gender-based variations.
Area of Science:
- Neuroanatomy
- Human Anatomy
- Radiology
Background:
- The corpus callosum (CC) is the largest white matter structure in the brain, connecting the two cerebral hemispheres.
- Understanding its structural variations, particularly sexual dimorphism, is crucial for neuroscience and clinical applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and quantify sexual dimorphism in the human corpus callosum.
- To determine if specific morphometric angles of the CC differ significantly between sexes.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of midsagittal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) morphometry.
- Measurement of four specific angles of the corpus callosum in 67 adult participants.
- Comparison of morphometric data between 34 females and 33 age-matched males.
Main Results:
- All four measured angles of the corpus callosum showed statistically significant differences between females and males.
- These findings indicate a distinct gender-based difference in the orientation of the corpus callosum.
Conclusions:
- The study confirms significant sexual dimorphism in the human corpus callosum's orientation.
- Morphometric analysis of MRI data provides evidence for sex-specific structural characteristics of the CC.
Related Concept Videos
Cerebrum: Anatomical Overview II
Each cerebral hemisphere can be divided into three main regions. The outermost region, the cerebral cortex, is a thin layer (2 to 4 millimeters thick) made up of gray matter, consisting of neuron cell bodies, dendrites, glial cells, and blood vessels. The middle region, or white matter, is primarily composed of myelinated nerve fibers organized into three types of large tracts: association fibers, commissures, and projection fibers. Association fibers connect different areas within the same...
Cerebral Hemispheres
The human brain, a complex organ, is functionally divided into two cerebral hemispheres—left and right. These hemispheres are interconnected by a structure of paramount importance, the corpus callosum. This substantial bundle of neural fibers is not just a bridge between the hemispheres but a crucial element for the brain's comprehensive functioning. It enables efficient communication between the two hemispheres, allowing each side of the brain to control and receive sensory and motor...

