Volumetric asymmetry in the human amygdaloid complex

The amygdaloid complex was parcellated into 15 nuclei based on cytoarchitecture in 19 human brains. The volumes of the nuclei were determined in the right and in the left hemisphere for each case. A multivariate analysis showed that the amygdaloid complex is asymmetrical between the hemispheres, with the lateral nucleus of the amygdala, which is larger in the right hemisphere, showing the strongest volumetric asymmetry. These findings are discussed in relation to the amygdala's role as a mediator between limbic and cortical processing, and in light of the right hemisphere's specialization for emotional behaviors.