Manual asymmetry and handedness

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1994 May 24;91(11):5030-2. doi: 10.1073/pnas.91.11.5030.

Abstract

Volumetric measurements show that right-handed individuals have larger right hands than left hands. In contrast, the hands of left-handers are much more nearly symmetrical. Based on what is known about trophic interactions between neurons and targets, these findings predict a corresponding asymmetry of the relevant parts of the sensorimotor system in right-handers. The lack of an opposite-hand asymmetry among left-handers further implies that right- and left-handed phenotypes do not arise according to the same developmental rules.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • Functional Laterality*
  • Hand / anatomy & histology*
  • Hand / innervation
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Phenotype