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Related Concept Videos

Lateralization01:28

Lateralization

1.1K
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.
1.1K
Neural Circuits01:25

Neural Circuits

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Neural circuits and neuronal pools are two of the main structures found in the nervous system. Neural circuits are networks of neurons that work together to carry out a specific task or process. They consist of interconnected neurons and glial cells, which provide structural and metabolic support.
Neuronal pools are collections of nerve cells with similar functions and interact through chemical and electrical signals. These pools include both interneurons (the central neural circuit nodes that...
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Organization of the Brain01:30

Organization of the Brain

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

Anatomy of the Brain: Major Regions

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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...
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Cerebral Hemispheres01:05

Cerebral Hemispheres

2.7K
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...
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Functional Brain Systems: Limbic System01:15

Functional Brain Systems: Limbic System

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The limbic system, often called the "emotional brain," is a complex set of structures located deep within the brain. The intricate network of the limbic system supports a wide range of psychological functions, from emotional regulation to memory formation and sensory processing. This functional brain region encompasses specific parts of the diencephalon and the cerebrum, integrating the higher mental functions of the cerebral cortex with the primitive emotional responses of the deep brain...
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Revisiting the attentional bias in the split brain.

Neuropsychologia·2021
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Can the mind be split? A historical introduction.

Neuropsychologia·2021
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How many lateralities?

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

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 27, 2026

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

Published on: July 31, 2019

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The Evolution of Lateralized Brain Circuits.

Michael C Corballis1

  • 1School of Psychology, University of Auckland,Auckland, New Zealand.

Frontiers in Psychology
|July 4, 2017
PubMed
Summary

Animal brain and behavior show asymmetries, trading internal efficiency for external adaptation. These arise independently from multiple genetic sources, not a single principle.

Area of Science:

  • Zoology
  • Neuroscience
  • Evolutionary Biology

Background:

  • Bilateria exhibit cerebral and behavioral asymmetries alongside bilateral symmetry.
  • Asymmetries offer functional trade-offs, enhancing internal processing but potentially hindering adaptation to unbiased environments.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the emergence and implications of asymmetries in Bilateria.
  • To understand the evolutionary origins and genetic basis of these asymmetries.

Main Methods:

  • Comparative analysis of animal structures and behaviors.
  • Review of evolutionary principles related to neural and functional lateralization.

Main Results:

  • Asymmetries can improve internal organization at the cost of environmental adaptability.
Keywords:
brain asymmetryevolutiongesture recognitionhandednessmirror neuron system

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Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Feb 27, 2026

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Electroporation of the Hindbrain to Trace Axonal Trajectories and Synaptic Targets in the Chick Embryo
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  • Evolution of functions like human language and tool manufacture may stem from asymmetrical adaptations, possibly linked to the primate mirror-neuron system.
  • Asymmetries emerge independently through multi-genetic pathways.

    • Conclusions:

    • Cerebral and behavioral asymmetries in Bilateria represent a fundamental evolutionary strategy with significant functional consequences.
    • The independent, multi-genetic origin of asymmetries suggests diverse evolutionary pressures shaping animal form and function.