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Summary
The human brain
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Human Anatomy
- Brain Research
Background:
- Previous research indicated posterior cerebrum anatomical asymmetry.
- No consistent pattern of asymmetry was previously identified.
- No prior studies quantified striate cortex volume differences between hemispheres.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate volumetric asymmetries in the human striate cortex.
- To determine if a consistent pattern of striate cortex asymmetry exists.
- To explore the relationship between striate cortex asymmetry and visuospatial skills.
Main Methods:
- Examined 31 serially sectioned human brains.
- Covered a wide age range: 33 weeks gestation to 94 years.
- Quantified volumetric differences in the striate cortex between the left and right hemispheres.
Main Results:
- The right striate cortex was larger than the left in 24 out of 31 cases (77%).
- On average, the right striate cortex was approximately 5% larger than the left.
- This observed asymmetry was statistically significant.
Conclusions:
- The human striate cortex exhibits a consistent pattern of rightward volumetric asymmetry.
- This asymmetry may be linked to the right hemisphere's known superiority in visuospatial processing.
- Further research can explore functional implications of this anatomical difference.