Intermediate
Technical
In the Industry Vocabulary Test
lateralization
The tendency for certain neural functions to be more dominant in one brain hemisphere than the other.
Full Definition
Lateralization refers to the functional specialization of the brain's hemispheres, where specific cognitive or motor functions show asymmetrical representation between the left and right sides of the brain. Common examples include left hemisphere dominance for language processing and right hemisphere specialization for spatial processing. Neuroinformatics studies lateralization using various metrics including activation asymmetry indices and structural volume differences between hemispheres.
Usage
Usage note: Note the distinction from 'localization' which refers to spatial mapping rather than hemispheric asymmetry.
In Context
- "Language lateralization was assessed using fMRI activation asymmetry." — Methods description
- "The patient showed atypical lateralization of motor functions." — Clinical report
Also known as
hemispheric specialization
cerebral asymmetry
Contrasted with
bilateral representation
Don't confuse with
localization
dominance