laterality
C1/C2Academic / Technical / Medical
Definition
Meaning
The preference for using one side of the body (especially hands, feet, eyes) over the other.
The study or state of functional asymmetry in the brain (hemispheric dominance) as it relates to specific cognitive or motor functions; broadly, the property of being one-sided or exhibiting asymmetry.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a technical term used in neuroscience, psychology, and medicine. In everyday speech, simpler terms like 'handedness' or 'left/right dominance' are used.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage.
Connotations
Neutral and technical in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low in general discourse but standard in relevant academic/clinical fields in both regions.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
The laterality of [noun phrase] (e.g., The laterality of brain function).[Noun phrase] shows/exhibits/ demonstrates laterality (e.g., The patient demonstrates clear laterality).To assess/study/determine the laterality of...[Noun] with [adjective] laterality (e.g., a stroke with contralateral laterality).Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Crossed laterality (refers to mixed dominance, e.g., right-handed but left-eyed).”
- “Pathological left-handedness (a rare, specific term in neuropsychology).”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Almost never used.
Academic
Common in psychology, neuroscience, and medical research papers (e.g., 'The study investigated the genetic basis of cerebral laterality.').
Everyday
Very rare. One might say 'handedness' instead.
Technical
Standard in clinical neurology, neuropsychology, and occupational therapy assessments (e.g., 'The fMRI scan helped localise the lesion and determine language laterality.').
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The function appears to lateralise early in development.
- They are studying how the brain lateralises language.
American English
- The function appears to lateralize early in development.
- They are studying how the brain lateralizes language.
adverb
British English
- The motor cortex is organised laterally.
- The signals are processed more laterally in the left hemisphere.
American English
- The motor cortex is organized laterally.
- The signals are processed more laterally in the left hemisphere.
adjective
British English
- A lateralised brain function.
- The lateralisation process.
American English
- A lateralized brain function.
- The lateralization process.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Most people have a clear laterality, being either right- or left-handed.
- The doctor asked about the child's hand laterality.
- Research into cerebral laterality helps us understand how the two brain hemispheres specialise.
- Crossed laterality, like being right-handed but left-eyed, can be assessed with simple tests.
- The neuropsychological assessment included a detailed battery of tests to ascertain the laterality of language and visuospatial functions.
- Atypical laterality of planum temporale has been implicated in some developmental language disorders.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'LATERAL' + 'ITY'. LATERAL means 'to the side'. ITY makes it a noun. So, laterality is 'the state of having a preferred side'.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE BODY/BRAIN IS A SPECIALIZED MACHINE WITH PARTS ASSIGNED TO SPECIFIC TASKS ON SPECIFIC SIDES.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'латеральность' (a direct calque, which is understood but not standard). The standard Russian equivalent in psychology/medicine is 'латерализация' (lateralizatsiya) or 'функциональная асимметрия' (funktsional'naya asimmetriya). 'Рукопожатие' means 'handshake', not 'handedness'. For 'handedness', use 'праворукость/леворукость' or 'преобладание правой/левой руки'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'laterality' in casual conversation instead of 'handedness'.
- Misspelling as 'laterility' or 'lateriality'.
- Confusing 'laterality' with 'bilateral' (which means 'on both sides').
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the term 'laterality' MOST frequently and precisely used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. 'Handedness' is the most common form of laterality, but the term also applies to foot, eye, and ear preference, and more broadly to the specialised functions of the brain's left and right hemispheres.
Complete absence of lateral preference (true ambidexterity) is very rare. Most people exhibit some degree of laterality, even if it is weak or mixed for different functions (e.g., mixed-handedness).
There is a strong genetic predisposition, but laterality develops and stabilises in early childhood. It is generally consistent throughout life after being established.
Knowing a patient's language laterality (which hemisphere is dominant for speech) is critical for brain surgery to avoid damaging critical functions. It's also studied in relation to disorders like dyslexia, schizophrenia, and autism.