Right cerebral hemisphere: parts, characteristics and functions.

An overview of the characteristics and functions of the right hemisphere of the human brain.

It is widely believed in popular culture that the cerebral hemispheres differ in their characteristics.

The right hemisphere has traditionally been associated with the artistic, while the right hemisphere is considered to be more artistic than the right hemisphere.while the left hemisphere is considered to be more analytical, involved in aspects such as mathematics and verbal language.

Although much has been said about what each of the hemispheres do, the truth is that both brain structures do differ in terms of their characteristics and functions.

In this article we are going to talk about the right cerebral hemisphere, what are its characteristics and most important functions?In this article we are going to talk about the right cerebral hemisphere, what are its most outstanding characteristics and functions, as well as describe a syndrome related to this structure and its symptoms.

What is a hemisphere of the brain?

Before we go into more detail about the peculiarities of the right hemisphere, it is first necessary to explain what a cerebral hemisphere is, and what role it has in the nervous system of human beings. nervous system of human beings.

The word hemisphere comes from the Greek words 'hemi' ('half') and 'sphera' ('sphere') and, when we speak of the cerebral hemispheres, we refer to each of the two main portions that make up the brain.

The hemispheres are inverses of each other, but not inversely symmetrical. These structures are separated by a line called the interhemispheric fissure, which is why we speak of the interhemispheric fissure.This is why we speak of left and right hemispheres. Deep within this fissure is the corpus callosum that connects both hemispheres.

How is the right cerebral hemisphere structured?

The right cerebral hemisphere constitutes the right upper half of the brain. This structure, like its left counterpart, comprises half of the five large cerebral lobes:

• Frontal lobe
• Parietal lobe
• Temporal lobe
• Occipital lobe
• Insula

As mentioned above, the two hemispheres are separated by the interhemispheric fissure, also called the cerebral longitudinal fissure. In the deepest part of this fissure is the corpus callosum, a structure of nerve fibers which is the main structure of the brain.The corpus callosum, a structure of nerve fibers which connects both hemispheres. Since both hemispheres need to share information with each other constantly, the corpus callosum is a structure that serves a great function.

Like other brain structures, the right hemisphere is protected by three layers:

• Dura materThe dura mater: the outermost membrane, close to the skull, allows the brain to be well connected to the bone.
• Arachnoidbetween the dura mater and the pia mater.
• Pia materinnermost membrane, contiguous to the brain matter.

Characteristics

Although structurally similar to the left hemisphere, the right hemisphere has different characteristics. The left hemisphere is considered to be the more analytical hemisphere, while the right hemisphere is considered to have more creative characteristics. In the following we will see in more detail what the most representative characteristics of the right hemisphere of the brain are:

1. Musical

Playing an instrument, identifying precisely what note is being heard or learning the rhythmicity of a melody quickly are aspects of the right hemisphere.

2. Synthetic

That the right hemisphere has a synthetic processing means that it allows postulating hypotheses and proposing ideasThe right hemisphere has a synthetic processing, with the intention of contrasting them, to see if they are true or not and, in case they are not, to propose new ones.

The generation of new thoughts does not necessarily have to be linked to the veracity of a fact. You can come up with something new simply with the intention of being original.

3. Non-verbal

To say that the right hemisphere is a structure that is not involved in language is not entirely true. This human capacity involves several brain areas, some of them being on the right side. However, verbal aspects, such as speech and literacy, are more characteristic of the left hemisphere.

In the right hemisphere there is the ability to analyze non-verbalized aspects of language, such as facial gestures.such as facial gestures.

4. Holistic

The processing characteristic of the right hemisphere is to take a broad view of a problem. taking a broad view of a problem, rather than choosing to analyze in detail every single detail. that make it up.

Thus, it analyzes a specific stimulus in an integrated and global way. For this reason, the right hemisphere is the structure that is mostly behind artistic and innovative processes.

5. Geometric-spatial

Last but not least, the geometrical and spatial abilities of the right hemisphere represent the most remarkable cognitive abilities of this structure..

Thanks to this, it is possible to order space, generate mental images or build geometric structures.

• You might be interested in: "Spatial intelligence: what is it and how can it be improved?"

Functions

Related to the aforementioned characteristics, the right hemisphere is able to conceive strategies in a broad way, integrating the details that make up a situation or problem and allowing us to see holistically what is happening. Thus, it is possible to see images, hear sounds and perceive smells as a whole.

Spatial orientation

Thanks to the right hemisphere it is possible to orient oneself in physical space. It allows us to know what object we are looking at or where we are based on aspects such as color, shape or other characteristics present in the environment.

Locating oneself in space, identifying objects, recognizing the faces of loved ones are just some of the capabilities offered by the spatial capacity of this hemisphere.

2. Stimulus processing

In short, each cerebral hemisphere is in charge of elaborating and processing the stimuli captured in its opposite hemisphere (half of the body). The right hemisphere is in charge of 'sensing' the stimuli that have been given in the left half of the body..

Thus, when we are touching something with our left hand, it would be the right hemisphere that would be in charge of processing the associated sensation.

3. Emotionality and non-verbal aspects

The right hemisphere plays a major role in the processing of feelings. the elaboration of feelings.

Moreover, when analyzing them, it opts for more integrative tools instead of analytical ones, unlike its counterpart, the left hemisphere.

On the other hand, it is able to identify non-verbalized aspects such as prosody in language (tone of speech, expressiveness...).

Right hemisphere syndrome

Sometimes it happens that one of the hemispheres suffers an injury.. These injuries affect the person's cognitive abilities, which may imply a greater or lesser degree of discomfort after the accident. Right hemisphere syndrome is a neurological condition in which the white matter of this brain structure has been damaged. It may also be due to lesions occurring in the pathways connecting to the left hemisphere.

In most people, the right hemisphere is usually the less dominant hemisphere. As mentioned above, this structure is the one with the characteristics most closely related to nonverbal communication. Thus, a lesion in this hemisphere implies problems such as difficulties in interpreting facial gestures and postural variations.

With facial expression, people indicate whether we are happy, angry, sad or disgusted by something in a very clear way. Postures are more subtle forms of emotional expression and can indicate discomfort, nervousness or defensiveness. Although useful, verbalized language does not allow us to fully communicate the feelings of people, and may even indicate the opposite (e.g., when we say that we are not nervous but our legs are shaking).It can even indicate the opposite (e.g., when it is said that one is not nervous but the legs tremble).

For reasons such as these, the right hemisphere syndrome implies a great degree of affectation in the life of the person, since it makes emotional recognition difficult. In addition, it also implies not being able to express with due emotional and nonverbal language what feelings are being felt, implying a clear affectation in social life.

Bibliographical references:

• Acosta M. T. (2000). Right hemisphere syndrome in children: functional and maturational correlates 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.