Handedness
(Redirected from Dominant hand)
Handedness is a human attribute defined by unequal distribution of fine motor skills between the left and right hands. An individual who is more dexterous with the right hand is said to be right-handed, and one who is more skilled with the left is said to be left-handed.
Definition[edit | edit source]
Handedness is not a discrete variable (right or left), but a continuous one that can be expressed at levels between strongly left-handed and strongly right-handed. There are four types of handedness: left-handedness, right-handedness, mixed-handedness, and ambidexterity. Mixed-handedness is the change of hand preference between tasks. Ambidexterity is extremely rare, although it can be learned. A truly ambidextrous person is able to do any task equally well with either hand. Those who learn it still tend to sway towards their originally dominant hand.
Development[edit | edit source]
Hand preference develops in early childhood and is likely to be genetic. It is determined by prenatal hormonal activity, which also shapes the development of other parts of the brain. For example, testosterone suppresses the growth of the left hemisphere and promotes growth in the right, leading to a preference for the right hand.
Implications[edit | edit source]
Handedness has implications in life. For example, left-handed people are more likely to develop schizophrenia and other mental disorders. They are also more likely to suffer from dyslexia and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, left-handed people may have an advantage in sports and other activities that require spatial skills, as they use the right hemisphere of the brain, which is involved in spatial reasoning.
See also[edit | edit source]
Handedness Resources | |
---|---|
|
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD