Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Lateralization

Lateralization

Brain lateralization refers to the division of mental processes and functions between the two hemispheres of the brain, a phenomenon that optimizes neural efficiency and underpins complex abilities in humans. This specialization allows each hemisphere to perform tasks where it has a comparative advantage, facilitating more refined cognitive capabilities across different domains.

Cerebral Hemispheres

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...

Lobes of the Cerebrum

Lobes of the Cerebrum

The cerebral cortex, a critical structure of the brain, is intricately divided into two hemispheres, each consisting of four distinct lobes: occipital, temporal, frontal, and parietal. These lobes function cooperatively to regulate various cognitive and sensory functions, forming the basis of our complex neural capabilities.
Frontal lobe
The frontal lobes, located behind the forehead, are the command center of our brain, controlling personality, intelligence, and voluntary muscle movements.

Cerebrum: Anatomical Overview I

Cerebrum: Anatomical Overview I

The main and largest component of the human brain is the cerebrum. The cerebrum consists of two main parts: the cerebral cortex, an outer layer with wrinkles or folds known as gyri and shallow grooves called sulci, and a deeper region beneath it. The cerebrum divides into two distinct hemispheres and contains five different lobes: the frontal, parietal, temporal, occipital, and insula. The central sulcus separates the frontal and parietal lobes and two functionally important gyri — the...

Organization of the Brain

Organization of the Brain

The brain is an integral component of the nervous system and serves as the center for processing sensory inputs, making decisions, and directing bodily actions. This complex organ is organized into three primary sections: the hindbrain, midbrain, and forebrain, each responsible for a range of vital functions.
Hindbrain
The hindbrain, located at the base of the brain, plays a vital role in regulating automatic processes that sustain life. It includes the medulla oblongata, which is essential for...

Anatomy of the Brain: Ventricles

Anatomy of the Brain: Ventricles

There are hollow fluid-filled cavities known as ventricles deep inside the human brain. There are two lateral ventricles, one in each cerebral hemisphere, and each has three different projections — the anterior, inferior, and posterior horns visible from the lateral side. A thin membrane called the septum pellucidum separates the two lateral ventricles. The slender third ventricle in the diencephalon is connected to each lateral ventricle via a channel called the interventricular foramen. The...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Revisiting the attentional bias in the split brain.

Neuropsychologia·2021

Same author

Can the mind be split? A historical introduction.

Neuropsychologia·2021

Same author

How many lateralities?

Laterality·2020

Same author

Humanity and the left hemisphere: The story of half a brain.

Laterality·2020

Same author

Crossing the Rubicon: Behaviorism, Language, and Evolutionary Continuity.

Frontiers in psychology·2020

Same author

Evolution of cerebral asymmetry.

Progress in brain research·2019

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 26, 2026

Evaluation of Hemisphere Lateralization with Bilateral Local Field Potential Recording in Secondary Motor Cortex of Mice

Evaluation of Hemisphere Lateralization with Bilateral Local Field Potential Recording in Secondary Motor Cortex of Mice

Published on: July 31, 2019

Lateralization of the human brain.

Michael C Corballis¹

¹Department of Psychology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand. m.corballis@auckland.ac.nz

Progress in Brain Research

|January 11, 2012

Summary

Cerebral asymmetry is not unique to humans, but its role in language and manual functions may be key to human evolution. This likely evolved from manual gestures and grasping circuits in primates.

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Evolutionary Biology
Comparative Psychology

Background:

Cerebral asymmetry, particularly consistent directional bias, was historically considered a uniquely human trait.
Recent findings indicate that directional cerebral and behavioral asymmetries are present in numerous non-human species.
The specific left-cerebral dominance for language and manual functions in humans warrants further evolutionary investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

To challenge the notion of human uniqueness regarding cerebral asymmetry.
To explore the evolutionary origins of human language and manual function lateralization.
To propose a link between primate grasping circuits, manual gestures, and the development of cerebral asymmetry.

Main Methods:

Comparative analysis of cerebral and behavioral asymmetries across species.

More Related Videos

Assessment of Cerebral Lateralization in Children using Functional Transcranial Doppler Ultrasound (fTCD)

Assessment of Cerebral Lateralization in Children using Functional Transcranial Doppler Ultrasound (fTCD)

Published on: September 27, 2010

Exploring Deep Space - Uncovering the Anatomy of Periventricular Structures to Reveal the Lateral Ventricles of the Human Brain

Exploring Deep Space - Uncovering the Anatomy of Periventricular Structures to Reveal the Lateral Ventricles of the Human Brain

Published on: October 22, 2017

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 26, 2026

Evaluation of Hemisphere Lateralization with Bilateral Local Field Potential Recording in Secondary Motor Cortex of Mice

Evaluation of Hemisphere Lateralization with Bilateral Local Field Potential Recording in Secondary Motor Cortex of Mice

Published on: July 31, 2019

Assessment of Cerebral Lateralization in Children using Functional Transcranial Doppler Ultrasound (fTCD)

Assessment of Cerebral Lateralization in Children using Functional Transcranial Doppler Ultrasound (fTCD)

Published on: September 27, 2010

Exploring Deep Space - Uncovering the Anatomy of Periventricular Structures to Reveal the Lateral Ventricles of the Human Brain

Exploring Deep Space - Uncovering the Anatomy of Periventricular Structures to Reveal the Lateral Ventricles of the Human Brain

Published on: October 22, 2017

Review of existing literature on primate grasping, manual gestures, and language evolution.

Theoretical modeling of the progression of lateralization in praxic and linguistic functions.

Main Results:

Directionally consistent cerebral and behavioral asymmetries are observed in a wide range of animal species.
Precursors to human-specific cerebral asymmetries, particularly for language and manual functions, are identifiable in other animals, notably great apes.
A potential evolutionary pathway is suggested, linking specialized primate grasping circuits to manual gestures, and subsequently to the origins of language and increasing cerebral lateralization.

Conclusions:

The predominance of left-cerebral dominance for human language and manual functions may have played a distinct role in human evolution.
The evolutionary origins of these human-specific asymmetries can be traced back to manual gestures, which may stem from primate grasping circuits.
Progressive lateralization likely accompanied the increasing complexity of praxic and linguistic functions throughout human evolution.