The brain has two hemispheres (sides) that are two identical-appearing halves. The functions of the right hemisphere and the left hemisphere virtually mirror each other, with the right side of the brain controlling the left half of the body's movement, sensation, vision, and hearing, while the left side controls the right half of these functions. Show
The Dominant and Non-Dominant HemispheresThere are a few differences between the functions of the left and right hemispheres of the brain. One hemisphere is referred to as the dominant hemisphere, and it is most associated with language and with logical skills. The areas of the brain that control speech and mathematical abilities are located in the dominant hemisphere. The non-dominant hemisphere is responsible for creativity, including art and imagination. The non-dominant hemisphere is also responsible for integrating spatial information and for controlling a sense of awareness of three-dimensional space. The dominant hemisphere of the brain is usually the hemisphere opposite your dominant hand. For right-handed individuals, the dominant hemisphere is typically on the left side. For left-handed individuals, the dominant hemisphere may be on the right side. This is why a stroke in the same location may affect left-handed person and a right-handed person differently. Strokes Of Dominant vs. Non-Dominant HemispheresPeople who have experienced brain injuries to the dominant hemisphere typically experience problems on the opposite side of their body, as well as trouble with language, which is called aphasia. Aphasia can affect the ability to find the right words, the ability to understand what others are saying, and the ability to read or write. People who have experienced brain injuries to the non-dominant hemisphere typically experience problems on the opposite side of their body, as well as problems with spatial judgment, and with understanding and remembering things. The Lobes of the BrainEach hemisphere of the brain is divided into functional sections known as lobes. There are four lobes in each half of the brain. They are:
Types of AphasiaWhen a person experiences a stroke, brain tumor, or injury that affects the dominant side of the brain, the ability to use language is disrupted. The language areas of the brain include several structures that are located in the frontal, temporal, and parietal lobes. A stroke or another injury to any of these specialized language regions, which include Broca's area, Wernicke's area, and the arcuate fasciculus, can cause specific types of aphasia that correspond to the specific language region of the brain affected by the stroke or brain injury. Some of the most common types of aphasia include:
Management of AphasiaRecovery from aphasia is possible. The most common form of treatment is speech therapy. Other kinds of therapy include:
At-home therapy, to support aphasia recovery may include:
Guidelines jointly published by the American Heart Association and American Stroke for stroke recovery recommend communication partner training to help improve overall speech outcomes for stroke survivors with aphasia. Communication partners can be family members and caregivers, healthcare professionals, or others in the community. Communicating With Stroke Survivors Who Have AphasiaWhile it may be difficult to communicate, people with aphasia have several options when interacting with others. Some of these options include:
Conversely, for those people without aphasia, communicating with stroke survivors who have aphasia can be made easier with some of the following methods:
A Word From VerywellThe dominant hemisphere of the brain controls language, which is one of our more important ways of interacting with the world. Any injury to the dominant hemisphere of the brain—such as stroke, tumor, or head trauma—can cause aphasia. Aphasia is challenging for the person who has this condition, as well as for loved ones and caregivers. The majority of stroke survivors who have aphasia experience some recovery, which can be optimized through rehabilitative therapy after a stroke. Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Thanks for your feedback! What are the major functions of the dominant hemisphere?The dominant hemisphere, by definition, governs language function and houses the brain's language centers. In its association areas, the dominant hemisphere also integrates language with intellect and emotion as well as tactile, auditory, and visual sensations.
Is the specialization of function in one hemisphere of the brain or the other?There is evidence of specialization of function—referred to as lateralization—in each hemisphere, mainly regarding differences in language functions. The left hemisphere controls the right half of the body, and the right hemisphere controls the left half of the body.
Which of the following defines brain lateralization?Lateralization of the brain hemispheres refers to a functional dominance of one hemisphere over the other, in which one is more responsible or entirely responsible for control of a function in comparison to the other.
Which task would be relatively dominant in the left hemisphere?Typically, the left hemisphere, which houses both Broca's and Wernicke's areas, is dominant for sequential processing, including language, and the right hemisphere is dominant for simultaneous processing, including spatial skills (for reviews, see Bryden, 1982; Hall et al., 2008; Kansaku and Kitazawa, 2001; Kimura, ...
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