What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
homolateral
Example
The patient had homolateral weakness in his right arm and leg. [homolateral: adjective]
Example
The athlete performed a homolateral exercise by lifting his right arm and right leg simultaneously. [homolateral: adjective]
Example
The homolateral placement of the liver and gallbladder can cause pain on the right side of the abdomen. [homolateral: noun]
ipsilateral
Example
The doctor tested the patient's ipsilateral reflexes by tapping his right knee and observing the right leg's response. [ipsilateral: adjective]
Example
The stroke affected the patient's ipsilateral limb control, making it difficult to move the left arm and leg. [ipsilateral: adjective]
Example
The ipsilateral connection between the ear and eye allows for coordinated movement and balance. [ipsilateral: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Ipsilateral is more commonly used than homolateral in medical and anatomical contexts. Homolateral is a less common term that is used more specifically in neurology and orthopedics.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between homolateral and ipsilateral?
Both homolateral and ipsilateral are formal terms used primarily in medical and anatomical contexts. Neither word is commonly used in everyday language.
