Asymmetries in the Cerebral Dimensions and Fissures of the Dog

Abstract

The surface dimensions and fissures of the right and left cerebral hemispheres were compared in dogs. The right hemisphere was significantly larger in length and height than the left hemisphere; there was no significant difference in the width of the right and left hemispheres. The mean length of the cruciate sulcus did not significantly differ on the right and left sides except individual for asymmetries. The difference in the mean length of the right and left Sylvian fissures was not significant, but the right Sylvian fissure was significantly lower than the left. The base of the right planum temporale tended to be larger than the left. These anatomical asymmetries did not correlate with paw preference. The data are consistent with notion that asymmetrical patterns cannot be a distinctive feature of the human brain.

Key Words:

• Asymmetry
• lateralization
• brain
• dog