lateral dominance
The preferential use of one side of the body for motor and cognitive functions, typically referring to handedness and brain hemisphere specialization.
Full Definition
Lateral dominance refers to the consistent preference for using one side of the body over the other for motor activities and the corresponding specialization of brain hemispheres for specific cognitive functions. Most commonly assessed through handedness, lateral dominance also extends to foot preference, eye dominance, and ear preference. In neuropsychological contexts, lateral dominance is crucial for understanding language lateralization, as approximately 95% of right-handed individuals have left-hemisphere language dominance, while left-handed individuals show more variable patterns. Assessment of lateral dominance is important for predicting recovery patterns after brain injury, planning neurosurgical procedures, and interpreting neuropsychological test results. Mixed dominance patterns can sometimes be associated with learning difficulties, though this relationship is complex and not universally accepted.
Usage
Usage note: Specify the domain (motor, language, spatial) when discussing dominance patterns.
In Context
- "Assessment of lateral dominance revealed consistent right-handed preference across all motor tasks." — Neuropsychological evaluation
- "Atypical lateral dominance patterns were considered in interpreting the language assessment results." — Clinical case discussion