Definition

1. Noun:
   • Superior development of one side of the body: The condition where one side of the body is more developed or dominant than the other.
   • The property of using one hand more than the other: The characteristic of preferring to use either the right or left hand for most tasks; handedness.
   • Localization of function on either the right or left sides of the brain: The principle that specific cognitive functions are primarily controlled by one hemisphere of the brain.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The athlete's laterality was evident in the greater muscle mass on his right side.
  • Most people show a clear laterality, being either right-handed or left-handed.
  • Research into brain laterality helps us understand language processing.

Advanced Usage

• "Cerebral laterality": Refers specifically to the lateralization of brain function.

  • The study of cerebral laterality explores why language is typically localized in the left hemisphere.

• "Crossed laterality": A condition where an individual's dominant hand is on the opposite side of their dominant eye or foot.

  • Children with crossed laterality may sometimes face challenges in coordinating certain activities.

Variants and Related Words

• Lateral (adj): Of, at, toward, or from the side or sides.

  • The lateral movement was difficult due to the injury.

• Lateralization (n): The process or state of being localized to one side, especially in the brain.

  • The lateralization of speech functions is a key topic in neuroscience.

Synonyms

• Handedness: The tendency to use one hand more naturally than the other.
• Dominance: The state of being stronger or more developed on one side.
• Hemispheric specialization: The functional dominance of one cerebral hemisphere over the other for a particular activity.

Related Phrases

• "Test for laterality": To assess which side of the body or brain is dominant for specific functions.

  • The neurologist conducted a series of tests to determine the patient's laterality.

• "Mixed laterality": Exhibiting a lack of clear dominance for one side across different functions (e.g., being right-handed but left-eyed).

  • Mixed laterality is more common than previously thought.

Related Concepts

• Ambidexterity: The ability to use both hands equally well.

  • True ambidexterity, with no clear laterality, is quite rare.

• Hemispheric asymmetry: The structural or functional differences between the left and right sides of the brain.

  • Hemispheric asymmetry is the foundation for laterality of function.

Noun

1. superior development of one side of the body
2. the property of using one hand more than the other
3. localization of function on either the right or left sides of the brain