Brain Lateralization

Lateralization of Function

The right and left cerebral hemispheres are responsible for performing different functions. Motor and sensory fibers in one hemisphere controls function of the contralateral body. We also know that higher cortical function, like language and attention are lateralized to each hemisphere.

Left Hemisphere

Language is most often mapped to the left hemisphere. The left hemisphere is considered the more analytical hemisphere, responsible for reading, writing, math and sequential thinking.

Right Hemisphere

Attention, emotion, creativity, imagination, spatial awareness and facial recognition are all lateralized to the right hemisphere. If someone has a deficit within the right parietal lobe, neglect is a feature of their physical exam, such that they will ignore 1/2 of the visual field, or 1/2 of the their body, often drawing a clock face with 1/2 of the numbers or numbers all on one side.