... the physiology and functional specialisation of the hemispheres have been studied. The more basic physiological tests include direct cortical stimulation and various forms of brain scans such as PET, EEG and cortical recordings. Functional testing has employed both mentally healthy and brain-damaged participants (or those who have had psychosurgery such as a commissurotomy). These tests have included lateralised presentation of visual or auditory stimuli, and the anaesthetising of one or other hemisphere during various functional tasks. The most fundamental difference that exists between the two cerebral hemispheres is that of structure. Although as far as basic components are concerned the two can be seen to be symmetrical, the size and in some cases the shape of these parts can be seen to vary greatly. Firstly, the Planum Temporale (the upper part of the temporal lobe) is, in the majority of cases, larger in the left hemisphere. Area Tpt (in the ...

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