Corpus callosum facts for kids
| Brain: Corpus callosum | ||
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Quick facts for kids
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| Corpus callosum from above. (Anterior portion is at the top of the image.) | ||
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| Median sagittal section of brain (person faces to the left). Corpus callosum visible at center, in light gray | ||
| Part of | Human brain | |
| Components | Genu, trunk, splenium | |
The corpus callosum is part of the brain in humans and other eutherian mammals. It is the largest connective pathway in the brain. Its over 200 million nerve fibers connect the left and right hemispheres of the brain.
The corpus callosum relates to the lateralization of brain function. Because the two side of the brain communicate so intensively, they can afford to specialise in doing somewhat different things.
Only in higher mammals
The corpus callosum is found only in placental mammals (the eutherians). It is absent in monotremes and marsupials, and other vertebrates such as birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish.
Other groups do have brain structures that allow for communication between the two hemispheres. The anterior commissure serves as the main cross-hemisphere communication in marsupials.
The fibrous bundle of the corpus callosum increases to such an extent in humans that it wedges apart the hippocampal structures.
Images for kids
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MRI of corpus callosum and its named parts
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Corpus callosum
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Electroencephalography is used to find the source of electrical activity causing a seizure as part of the surgical evaluation for a corpus callosotomy.
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Corpus callosum
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Coronal T2 (grey scale inverted) MRI of the brain at the level of the caudate nuclei emphasizing corpus callosum
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Corpus callosum with Anatomography
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Sagittal post mortem section through the midline brain. The corpus callosum is the curved band of lighter tissue at the center of the brain above the hypothalamus. Its lighter texture is due to higher myelin content, resulting in faster neuronal impulse transmission
See also
In Spanish: Cuerpo calloso para niños
