contralateral

adjective

con·​tra·​lat·​er·​al ˌkän-trə-ˈla-t(ə-)rəl How to pronounce contralateral (audio)
: occurring on or acting in conjunction with a part on the opposite side of the body

Examples of contralateral in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Two dying patients, on being removed from ventilator support, exhibited surges of gamma-wave activity within the temporo–parieto–occipital junctions, as well as between the TPO zones and the contralateral prefrontal areas. Matthew Gavin Frank, Harper's Magazine, 2 June 2023 These areas were also located on the side of the brain opposite to, or contralateral to, the side of the body where the patients were experiencing pain. IEEE Spectrum, 29 May 2023 The stimulation set-up that seemed closest to giving an effect on reaction time was '2 mA, anodal, contralateral orbit reference'. Neuroskeptic, Discover Magazine, 4 Oct. 2016 Because of this, race also played a part in a person’s risk of getting contralateral breast cancer, the study found. Julia Landwehr, Health, 26 Jan. 2023 Vibrissa motor cortex activity suppresses contralateral whisking behavior. Neuroskeptic, Discover Magazine, 3 Nov. 2016 Furthermore, certain vertical climbers that use contralateral motions (when the same-side arms and legs move in opposite directions) produce full body extension. Colleen Gulick, Outside Online, 3 Sep. 2021 The ability to switch between ipsilateral and contralateral modes. Colleen Gulick, Outside Online, 3 Sep. 2021 CrossClimber is the only model that has the ability to switch between ipsilateral (same-side arms and legs always move together) and contralateral (same-side arms and legs always move in opposite directions) modes. Colleen Gulick, Outside Online, 3 Sep. 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'contralateral.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

contra- + lateral entry 1, probably after German contraliteral

First Known Use

1882, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of contralateral was in 1882

Dictionary Entries Near contralateral

Cite this Entry

“Contralateral.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contralateral. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

contralateral

adjective
con·​tra·​lat·​er·​al -ˈlat-ə-rəl, -ˈla-trəl How to pronounce contralateral (audio)
: occurring on, affecting, or acting in conjunction with a part on the opposite side of the body
the motor cortex controls contralateral muscles
compare ipsilateral
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