In our head, protected by the skull, is located a very important part of the nervous system that constitutes the control center of almost all necessary vital activities; This organ is the brain and is divided into several parts, the largest of which is the brain, which is in turn subdivided into two hemispheres: left and right.
We see that apparently both hemispheres are equal, but do they have the same functions? It is common to hear in our environment that the right hemisphere of the brain is more developed in creative people. On the other hand, people who have greater development of the left hemisphere have high logical and mathematical intelligence. Is this really so? Or is it a myth?
We will try to find an answer to this question in the following Psychology-Online article: we will talk about the different functions and characteristics of the right and left cerebral hemispheres and we will resolve some of the doubts you may have about this complex organ.
What are the cerebral hemispheres?
The brain hemispheres Are the two large parts into which the brain is divided in half. The left one is slightly larger and both hemispheres are separated by the deep medial fissure. The hemispheres almost completely cover the rest of the parts of the brain.
The hemispheres are formed by the cerebral cortex, which is a highly folded layer of neuronal tissue. Under the cortex are the hippocampus, basal ganglia and olfactory bulb.
The most important parts of the brain are the hemispheres and lobes. In each hemisphere they are anatomically distinguished six parts:
- The frontal lobe
- The parietal lobe
- The occipital lobe
- The temporal lobe
- Insula
- The limbic system
Here you will find more information about and the.
Functions of the right and left sides of the brain
Is it true that the left hemisphere is in charge of the artistic part and the right hemisphere is in charge of logic? First of all, it is necessary to remember that both hemispheres are connected to each other at different points throughout the brain. On the other hand, Although each one has some functions of its own, others are shared, that is, they develop in both hemispheres. Furthermore, the place where a certain function is performed is not always permanent and may be subject to different modifications. This is the case, for example, with some brain injuries. In this type of situation, the areas adjacent to the injury could acquire the functions that the damaged area initially performed. This is what is known as brain plasticity.
However, this functional molding has a certain limit, so a brain with a large damaged area could not always recover the lost functions. In any case, the stimulation of the different regions is necessary to achieve this, which can be carried out through different exercises and activities such as reading, crosswords or puzzles, among others.
Therefore, Although each area has a more or less specific function, it is not something so exact and unchangeable. as was formerly believed.
What functions does the left hemisphere have?
Let’s go, then, with the characteristics and functions of the left hemisphere. As we mentioned, this hemisphere is an expert in the most logical part.
- Has capabilities related to numerical, mathematical-logical, verbal and symbolic thinking.
- It is also in charge of the different faculties related to the expression (language), reading and writing.
- It is the hemisphere that is responsible for analyzing, reasoning, learning, and processing information.
What are the functions of the right hemisphere?
And what, therefore, would be the functions that the right hemisphere would have? This hemisphere, for its part, is responsible for:
- The functions related to the imagination, creativity, emotions, feelings and also regarding the spatial functions.
- In addition, the right hemisphere is also responsible for more intuitive, spontaneous and subjective thinking.
- On the other hand, musical skills would also be located in this area.
The joint functions and characteristics of both hemispheres
As we mentioned at the beginning of the article, there are different basic functions that we can find in both hemispheresamong which are memory, mathematical calculation, the processing of sensory information (hearing, touch, taste…) or learning, despite the fact that they are developed to a greater extent in one or the other.
Within each hemisphere there are, in turn, different areas.
frontal lobe
In the most front part, which would be found in the forehead area, we would find the frontal lobe, which is responsible for executive functions; that is, of reasoning, self-control, planning, abstract thinking…
parietal lobe
On the sides and, specifically, in the upper part, is the parietal lobe. This area processes information received by the sense organs (especially those related to the visual and auditory). It is also in charge of verbal language and mathematical processing. In addition, it intervenes in sphincter control, episodic memory and afferents and efferents to the lower extremities, that is, in the transmission of energy and blood to them.
Temporal lobe
Just below the previous one is the temporal lobe, which is responsible for everything related to hearing and with the processing and production of language.
Occipital lobe
Finally, in the back of the brain we find the occipital lobe, basic for vision processing. This area is also responsible for the most creative thinking and imagination.
Insula and limbic lobe
In addition to these four lobes, we find two additional ones in the brain: the insula and the limbic lobe. Both are found in the innermost parts of the brain, so they would not be observed with the naked eye. The insula is responsible for processing emotional information and the bodily sensations and the representation that these have at an emotional level, while the limbic lobe houses the functions related to the basic instincts of the human being, that is, the innate learning; These include hunger, anger, fear, as well as sexual instincts and the regulation of various physiological functions.
How has it been possible to find out the function of each area of the brain? To a large extent studying what happens in patients in whom an injury or illness has left one of these areas unusable. For example, a stroke that affects the temporal areas of the left hemisphere can produce aphasia (inability to process verbal and written language) and contralateral hemiplegia (that is, paralysis of the opposite side of the body, in this case the right side), which which tells us what functions are regulated by said area.
Is there a difference between the brain of a left-handed person and a right-handed person?
Various investigations have been carried out on the dominance of one cerebral hemisphere over the other. This leads to laterality, that is, the preference for using one half of the body or another, which is why there are left-handed and right-handed people. In this article we explain the.
It has been concluded that left-handed people have greater creative capacity and are more prone to suffering from autoimmune and neuropsychiatric diseases. On the other hand, the hypotheses about the origin and consequences of cerebral laterality have not been corroborated. In short, there is much left to investigate.
This article is merely informative, at Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.
If you want to read more articles similar to Right and left brain hemispheres: characteristics, functions and differenceswe recommend that you enter our category.
Bibliography
- Batista-García-Ramó, K. and Fernández-Verdecia, CI (2018). What we know about the brain structure-function relationship. Behavioral Science, 8(4), 39-41.
- Gutiérrez Morales, E. (2020). Interdependence between executive functions and brain areas.
- León Pérez, MQ, and Sierra Benítez, EM (2019). Brain plasticity, a neuronal reality. Journal of Medical Sciences of Pinar del Río, 23(4), 599-609.
- Lozón, AM, Orías, MR, Sánchez, PD, Minaya, SG, Fernández, M., and Miaja, LRF (2014). Left-handed and right-handed: etiopathogenesis and health. Bol Pediatr, 54, 14-19.
- Ludwig, P. (2019). Neuroanatomy. Central nervous system. StatPerls. Publishing: Treasure Island (Florida).