The Parietal Lobe

Areas within the parietal lobe on the nondominant side of the brain, control spatial orientation. From these areas we derive our ability to know where we are in space, and we know how to find our way from one place to another. Damage to the nondominant parietal hemisphere result in the inability to read maps, and the loss of the ability to stay oriented even in familiar places. A peculiar condition called spatial neglect causes victims of parietal damage to ignore one half of the environment. They may neglect to shave one half the face, eat portions on one half of the dinner plate, or ignore people conversing on side of the body, but not the other.

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