Corpus Callosum - notes

The corpus callosum (CC) is the major white matter tract connecting the right and left cerebral hemispheres of the brain. In Latin, corpus callosum means a big body which is appropriate given its large relative size in the brain.

The CC can be thought of as a a bridge between the 2 hemispheres or as the highway in the brain upon which information passes from one half of the brain to the other.

Today (Hellige, 1993)

·         The corpus callosum allows information to be shared between the two hemispheres– this role is undisputed, how this process occurs is a matter of some debate.

Excitatory model:

·         The role of the corpus callosum is based predominantly on excitatory effects.

·         Processing that involves a particular region in one hemisphere serves to activate similar regions in the corresponding hemisphere.

Inhibitory model:

·         The role of the corpus callosum is based predominantly on inhibitory effects.

·         Contradictory to the excitatory model, processing that involves a particular region in one hemisphere serves to suppress similar regions in the corresponding hemisphere.

OR

·         The corpus callosum acts as an ‘inhibitory barrier’ to block the passage of some types of information allowing each hemisphere to work autonomously.

·         This hypothesis can explain cerebral laterlization and specialization.

Scripture: