Contralateral refers to something that is located on or affecting the opposite side of the body. In anatomy and medical contexts, it’s often used to describe structures, functions, or symptoms that are on opposite sides.
For example, if a patient has pain in their right arm, any symptoms or conditions appearing in the left arm would be referred to as contralateral. Understanding the concept of contralaterality is crucial in various fields like neurology, where certain brain functions may be associated with the opposite side of the body due to crossed neurological pathways.