Skip to main content
contralateral

contralateral

1 8.4
On the opposite side of the body from another part
  • adjective
  • /ˌkɒntrəˈlætərəl/
  • Specialized
: contralateral
  • The patient experienced numbness on the contralateral side of the injury, making it difficult to move.
  • contralateral limb
  • contralateral side
  • contralateral breast

Examples

  • A similar procedure is done on the contralateral side as indicated.

    Academic text (1995)
  • Because the lesions in our patient were contralateral, management was not as straightforward.

    Academic text (2005)
  • Although we recognize that some would have chosen to explore the contralateral neck, we did not.

    Academic text (1995)
  • Based on this, we decided against exploration of the contralateral neck.

    Academic text (1995)
  • The difference in temperature between the stressed site and the contralateral control site was determined for each trial.

    Academic text (2000)
  • Several authors have highlighted the importance of the contralateral blood flow to the tongue.

    Academic text (2003)
  • Electrode 2 was placed contralateral to Electrode 1.

    Academic text (2011)
  • The subjects' tracking capabilities using their intact contralateral elbow were also measured.

    Academic text (2001)
  • In large hemispheric tumors, contralateral ventricular dilatation is frequently seen.

    Academic text (2007)
  • During gait, the sacroiliac motion exhibits a unilateral anterior joint opening and contralateral closing.

    Academic text (1997)

Antonyms

ipsilateral
  • Specialized
1 9.9

On the same side of the body as another part

Surface Forms

contralateral positive

Morphology

contralateral = lateral (transparent) = contra + lateral

The meaning 'on the opposite side' follows directly from the productive combining form 'contra-' (opposite) added to 'lateral' (side).

Etymology

Contralateral comes from two parts: contra- meaning 'against' or 'opposite' and lateral meaning 'side', the same lateral you see in bilateral. So, contralateral describes something that happens on the opposite side of the body.