Left cerebral hemisphere: parts, characteristics and functions.

Summary of the characteristics of the left cerebral hemisphere, a fundamental part of the brain.

The idea that the cerebral hemispheres differ from each other is quite well accepted, both in general culture and in more academic circles.

It is often said that the left hemisphere is the one behind logical and analytical areas, such as mathematics, while the artistic is related to the right hemisphere. It is also assumed that the right hemisphere controls the left side of the body, while the left hemisphere does the same but with the right side.

Let's go into more detail about the left cerebral hemisphereWhat characteristics is attributed to it and in what functions it is involved.

What is a cerebral hemisphere?

Before talking in depth about the left hemisphere, we will first define what a cerebral hemisphere is. A hemisphere, from the Greek 'hemi' ('half') and 'sphera' ('sphere'), is each of the two main structures that make up the brain. Each hemisphere represents one of the two halves of the brain, one right and one left.one right and the other left.

These hemispheres are inverses of each other, but they are not symmetrical. The line that separates them is called the interhemispheric or longitudinal cerebral fissure, and in its deepest part is a structure, called the corpus callosum, which connects the two hemispheres.

How is the left hemisphere of the brain structured?

Like its right counterpart the left hemisphere is anatomically structured in lobesThe left hemisphere has half of each lobe. These lobes are the frontal, parietal, temporal, occipital and insula.

As mentioned above, the corpus callosum, which is a structure with nerve fibers, connects the two hemispheres to allow them to communicate. As with the other hemisphere, the left hemisphere is protected by the following layers:

• Dura materThe dura mater: the outermost membrane and closest to the skull.
• Arachnoidis between the dura mater and the pia mater.
• Pia materis the innermost membrane. It is contiguous to the brain matter.

Main characteristics

Anatomically, both hemispheres are very similar. Although, as we have already mentioned, they are not symmetrical, they are very similar. They have both cysplasias and convolutions and both have the same number of lobes, as well as being of similar size.

However, they have different attributes. The left hemisphere is known to be the brain structure responsible for more the brain structure most responsible for linguistic aspects, as well as being behind analytical processing.The mathematical characteristic of mathematics. Let's take a closer look at these characteristics:

1. Symbolic

The left hemisphere is in charge of using symbols for the representation of both concepts and objects..

Thus, it is this hemisphere that allows us to understand that the symbol '+' means to add to something or more quantity, or that the symbol ☮️ means peace.

2. Verbal

As we have already mentioned, the left hemisphere is involved in the use of language. is involved in the use of verbalized language..

This means that it is the one behind such everyday and fundamental aspects of human communication as speech, verbal memory, writing and reading.

3. Analytical

When we say that this hemisphere is analytical, we come to indicate that its information processing is done its information processing follows a more or less linear sequence of steps, analyzing every single detail of the information.analyzing every detail of a given situation or problem.

This is why the left hemisphere is so important in mathematics, where, in order to reach the solution, it is necessary to identify the steps to follow to get the correct answer.

In addition, the left hemisphere it is detailed and relatively objective when analyzing reality.In addition, it is detailed and relatively objective when analyzing reality, allowing to make specific observations and to propose a concrete thought, appropriate to the problem situation.

4. Temporal

Follows the passage of time, i.e, orders things in temporal sequences. It goes from beginning to end.

5. Rational

The left cerebral hemisphere tends to enhance rational reasoning. That is to say, allows us to abstract an explanation of reality from reason..

6. Logical and linear

When it is said that the left hemisphere is logical, it means that it establishes causal relationships between different facts. Thus, a phenomenon must necessarily be caused by a previous one or be responsible for a subsequent consequence.

This characteristic, together with the analytical aspect of this hemisphere, acquires great importance in the resolution of mathematical problems.

As for the linear aspect, it indicates that ideas are always linked to each other..

Functions

These are the main functions of the left cerebral hemisphere.

Verbal language and mathematics

Related to both its verbal and symbolic capacities, the left hemisphere is capable of identifying groups of letters and interpreting them. is able to identify groups of letters and interpret them as words, which, in turn, form words. which, in turn, form groups of letters and form meaningful sentences.

Thanks to this, it also plays an important role in speech, writing, mathematical problem solving, numeration and logic..

Other aspects in which this hemisphere is involved in a remarkable way are verbal memory, grammar, syntax organization, phonetic discrimination, planning, decision making, long-term memory...

Expression and comprehension

John Hughlins Jackson, neurologist, once said that the left hemisphere was the center of the faculty of expression. This means that this hemisphere is responsible for transforming a set of information into something meaningful.

Thus, This hemisphere stores concepts that it will later emit in the form of words, both oral and written, both oral and written.This allows us to transmit ideas from inside the mind of one person to another through the use of verbal communication.

If there is a stroke affecting this hemisphere, functional losses such as loss of speech may occur, in addition to motor skills on the right side of the body being affected, since the left hemisphere controls that half of the body.

Relationship between the two halves of the brain

Although we have mentioned that each hemisphere has its own particularities and functions, this does not mean that they are radically different from each other or that they do not perform activities together. What should be understood is that there are activities that are mainly performed by one of the two hemispheres and others in which it is the task of its counterpart.

As a curiosity, research indicates that interhemispheric differences are a distinctive feature of the human species.. In most people, both hemispheres complement each other. Normally, verbal aspects such as speech are under the control of the left hemisphere, however, there are cases, especially in left-handed people, in which speech is an activity exercised by areas located in both hemispheres.

In addition, it has been seen that, in situations where there is a brain lesion, there may be changes in the localization of certain functions.. This 'transfer' of functions is especially significant in childhood, when, thanks to brain plasticity, the brain tries to 'save' a capacity of the injured area by making another area, possibly from the opposite hemisphere, take over.

Bibliographical references:

• Acosta M. T. (2000). Right hemisphere syndrome in children: functional and maturational correlation of nonverbal learning disorders. Rev Neurol; 31: 360-7.
• Anderson, B.; Rutledge, V. (1996). Age and hemisphere effects on dendritic structure. Brain. 119: 1983–1990.
• Hutsler, J.; Galuske, R.A.W. (2003). Hemispheric asymmetries in cerebral cortical networks.Trends in Neurosciences. 26 (8): 429–435.