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Related Concept Videos

Cerebral Hemispheres01:05

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...
Lateralization01:28

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.
Organization of the Brain01:30

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...
Cerebrum: Anatomical Overview II01:11

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...
Anatomy of the Brain: Major Regions01:20

Anatomy of the Brain: Major Regions

The brain is the most complex organ in the human body. It consists of four main parts: the cerebrum, diencephalon, cerebellum, and brainstem.
The cerebrum is the largest section of the brain and divides into left and right hemispheres, separated by a deep fissure. The cerebral outer layer of grey matter — the cerebral cortex — comprises elevations called gyri and shallow groves called sulci. The inner portion of white matter includes long nerve fibers known as axons, which connect various areas...
Lobes of the Cerebrum01:22

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.

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Microdissection of Mouse Brain into Functionally and Anatomically Different Regions
08:06

Microdissection of Mouse Brain into Functionally and Anatomically Different Regions

Published on: February 15, 2021

Multi-region hemispheric specialization differentiates human from nonhuman primate brain function.

Hsiao-Ying Wey1, Kimberley A Phillips, D Reese McKay

  • 1Research Imaging Institute, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA.

Brain Structure & Function
|August 10, 2013
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Human brain connectivity differs from other primates. Unique multi-region lateralized networks in humans provide fronto-parietal connections, explaining advanced cognitive functions beyond regional brain size.

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Dissecting the Non-human Primate Brain in Stereotaxic Space
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Evaluation of Hemisphere Lateralization with Bilateral Local Field Potential Recording in Secondary Motor Cortex of Mice
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Evaluation of Hemisphere Lateralization with Bilateral Local Field Potential Recording in Secondary Motor Cortex of Mice

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Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 9, 2026

Microdissection of Mouse Brain into Functionally and Anatomically Different Regions
08:06

Microdissection of Mouse Brain into Functionally and Anatomically Different Regions

Published on: February 15, 2021

Dissecting the Non-human Primate Brain in Stereotaxic Space
09:09

Dissecting the Non-human Primate Brain in Stereotaxic Space

Published on: July 16, 2009

Evaluation of Hemisphere Lateralization with Bilateral Local Field Potential Recording in Secondary Motor Cortex of Mice
07:03

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

Published on: July 31, 2019

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Comparative Anatomy
  • Primate Cognition

Background:

  • Human behavior's complexity surpasses that of nonhuman primates, despite anatomical similarities in brain structures like the neocortex and prefrontal cortex.
  • Hemispheric specialization is hypothesized to underlie distinct human traits, but observed structural asymmetries are minor compared to behavioral lateralization.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate intrinsic connectivity networks in humans and three nonhuman primate species (chimpanzees, baboons, capuchin monkeys).
  • To evaluate intra- and inter-hemispheric coherences of spontaneous BOLD fluctuations using resting-state fMRI.
  • To identify neural mechanisms underlying functional differences between human and nonhuman primate brains.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) across four primate species.
  • Analyzed spontaneous Blood-Oxygen-Level-Dependent (BOLD) fluctuations to assess functional network connectivity.
  • Compared intra- and inter-hemispheric coherences within and between species.

Main Results:

  • All nonhuman primate species exhibited lateralized functional networks comparable to humans.
  • Humans uniquely displayed multi-region lateralized networks, specifically those connecting frontal and parietal lobes.
  • This distinct pattern of within-hemisphere connectivity differentiates human intrinsic brain networks from those of nonhuman primates.

Conclusions:

  • The presence of multi-region lateralized networks, particularly fronto-parietal connectivity, is a key distinguishing feature of the human brain.
  • These unique connectivity patterns likely contribute to the expanded behavioral repertoire observed in humans.
  • Findings highlight the importance of network organization over mere regional size in explaining cognitive divergence.