Human Brain — Morphologic Differences in the Hemispheres Demonstrable by Carotid Arteriography

Abstract

Functional differences of the cerebral hemispheres are great, but few consistent morphologic differences have been noted. On carotid arteriograms and on coronal sections of brains through the posterior ends of the sylvian fissures, we found the parietal operculum to be more highly developed on the left than on the right in 38 of 44 persons. However, arteriograms suggested that in 15 of 18 left-handed persons right parietal opercularization is as great as on the left. The study showed definite morphologic differences between the right and left hemispheres in a region of major importance for language. Endocranial casts of a fossil skull suggest that these differences were present in Neanderthal man. Arteriography offers a method of studying anatomic hemispheric differences.