Right cerebral hemisphere: parts, characteristics and functions

In popular culture, the belief that the cerebral hemispheres differ in terms of their characteristics is widespread.

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

Although many atrocities have been said about what each of the hemispheres does, 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 most notable characteristics and functions, as well as describing a syndrome related to this structure and its symptoms.

• Related article: "Parts of the human brain (and functions)"

What is a hemisphere of the brain?

Before going into more detail about the particularities of the right hemisphere, it is first necessary to explain what is a cerebral hemisphere, and what role does it have in the nervous system of human beings.

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

The hemispheres are inverse of each other, but not inversely symmetrical. These structures are separated by a line called the interhemispheric fissure., and that is why we talk about left and right hemispheres. In the deepest part of this fissure is the corpus callosum that connects both hemispheres.

How is the right cerebral hemisphere structured?

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

• frontal lobe
• parietal lobe
• temporal lobe
• Occipital lobe
• insula

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

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

• dura mater: outermost membrane and closest to the skull, allows the brain to be well connected to the bone.
• Arachnoid: between the dura mater and the pia mater.
• Pia mater: innermost 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 the most analytical, while the right is attributed more creative characteristics. Next we will see in more detail What are the most representative characteristics of the right hemisphere of the brain?:

1. Musical

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

2. Synthetic

That the right hemisphere has synthetic processing means allows to postulate hypotheses and propose ideas, with the intention of contrasting them, to see if they are true or not and, if 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. Something new can be proposed 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 ability involves various brain areas, some of them being on the right side. However, it is true that verbal aspects such as speaking and reading are more typical of the left hemisphere.

In the right hemisphere there is the ability to analyze those non-verbalized aspects of languagesuch as facial gestures.

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4. holistic

The proper processing of the right hemisphere is that of taking a broad view of a problem, rather than choosing to pore over every 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 behind, mostly, in the artistic and innovative processes.

5. geometric-spatial

Although last, but not least, the geometric and spatial abilities of the right hemisphere suppose 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 may be interested in: "Spatial intelligence: what is it and how can it be improved?"

functions

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

1. Spatial Orientation

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

Position yourself in space, identify objects, recognize faces of loved ones These are just some of the capabilities offered by the space capacity of this hemisphere.

2. Stimulus processing

In short, each cerebral hemisphere is responsible for preparing and processing the stimuli captured in its opposite hemibody (half of the body). the right hemisphere is responsible for 'feeling' the stimuli that have been given to the left side of the body.

So, 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 acquires a great role in terms of the elaboration of feelings.

In addition, when analyzing them, he opts for more integrating tools instead of analytical ones, unlike his left hemisphere counterpart.

On the other hand, it is capable of identifying non-verbalized aspects such as prosody in language (tone with which it is spoken, expressiveness...).

• You may be interested in: "Are we rational or emotional beings?"

Right hemisphere syndrome

Sometimes it happens that one of the hemispheres suffers an injury. These injuries imply affectation in the person's cognitive abilities, which may imply a greater or lesser degree of discomfort after having suffered 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 injuries that occurred in the pathways that connected with the left hemisphere.

In most people, the right hemisphere is usually the less dominant hemisphere. As we have already commented previously, this structure is the one that presents some characteristics more related to non-verbal communication. Thus, a lesion in this hemisphere implies problems such as difficulties when interpreting facial gestures and postural variations.

With facial expression, people indicate if we are happy, angry, sad or disgusted by something in a very clear way. Postures are more subtle forms of emotional expression, and may indicate discomfort, nervousness, or defensiveness. Although useful, Verbalized language does not fully communicate people's feelings, and may even indicate the opposite (eg, when they say that they are not nervous but their legs are shaking).

For reasons like these, the right hemisphere syndrome implies a great degree of affectation in the person's life, since it makes emotional recognition difficult. In addition, it also implies not being able to express with the appropriate emotional and non-verbal language what feelings are being felt, implying a clear affectation in social life.

Bibliographic 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.