Contralateral

What does "Contralateral" mean in a report or doctor's letter? In our medical dictionary, you will find a patient-friendly explanation of the meaning of this medical term.

Explanation

Contralateral is a term used in medicine to describe something that is on the opposite side of the body. For example, if a person has an injury on the left side of their body, a doctor might examine the contralateral, or right, side for comparison. It's a way to compare and contrast different sides of the body to help identify and understand medical conditions.

Editorial responsibility: BaluMed.

Report excerptExplanation

Confusing Medical Report?

BaluMed makes medicine understandable! Our extensive medical report explanation 'translates' complex medical terms from MRI findings and discharge summaries into easily understandable language. With a combination of artificial intelligence and medical expertise, we offer quickly available and reliable information.

  • Extensive. Summary, explanation per section, glossary.
  • Fast & Reliable. Doctor-reviewed, within 24 hours.
  • Privacy. Documents are automatically anonymized.
  • Multilingual. German, English, Spanish or Italian.