Allometry and asymmetry in the dog brain: the right hemisphere is heavier regardless of paw preference.
The allometric relationship between brain and body size and asymmetry in the weight of the cerebral hemispheres were studied in dogs. A regression analysis of the brain versus body weight revealed an allometric relationship according to the power function Y = kXa. The right cerebral hemisphere was found to be significantly heavier than the left. This finding was not associated with paw preference. In accordance with previous studies, it was concluded that the right-biased asymmetry in the weight of the cerebral hemispheres may be a common feature of the mammalian brain. Functional implications of the results were discussed with regard to the right hemisphere specializations.
D000818:Animals; D001824:Body Constitution; D001835:Body Weight; D001921:Brain / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D004285:Dogs / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size