The Split Brain

Two brains?

           

            We have only one brain.  However, our brain is divided into two hemispheres, the left and right hemisphere.  Each hemisphere plays a specific role The right side of the brain controls muscles on the left side of the body and the left side of the brain controls muscles on the right side of the body. The corpus callosum plays a major role in the brain.  It is a set of axons that convey information between the two hemispheres of the brain.  Many people undergo surgery to the corpus callosum for certain reasons; those who undergo surgery are referred to as split-brain people.  Split-brain people are capable of doing the same things as before such as walking.  After surgery, they are capable of performing two actions at once.  For example, they can draw a vertical U and a horizontal U at the exact same time without struggling.  Most people without a split brain find it quite difficult to complete this task.  However, people with a split brain are unable to identify something they see in the left visual field using their voice, instead they have to point at it with their left hand.  They have trouble coordinating their thoughts with their actions, depending on what field of vision or hand they are using.  For instance, a split-brain person can talk about what the left hemisphere saw, but not what the right hemisphere saw.  This is because most people’s left hemisphere controls speech.   Can you imagine yourself having difficulty performing a simple task?  I know I can’t.  Imagine going to the groceries and seeing what you want using the left hemisphere, you could say what you want but not point it out. Luckily, modern science has come up with medication to decrease epileptic seizures, reducing the risk of someone to undergo surgery in the corpus callosum to prevent a split brain. 

The video above gives a clearer view as to how someone with a split brain function.