A focused guide
What is the corpus callosum?
The corpus callosum is a large, curved structure made of white matter. It lies near the centre of the brain and links matching and related areas in the left and right cerebral hemispheres.
Its nerve fibres carry signals across the midline. This communication allows information gathered or processed on one side of the brain to be shared with the other side.
Where is it found?
The corpus callosum sits beneath the cerebral cortex and above the thalamus. In a side view, it has a gently arched shape. From above, its fibres extend between the two hemispheres.
Although it is one structure, it contains many bundles of fibres. Different sections connect areas involved in movement, sensation, vision, hearing, language, and other kinds of processing.
Why does it matter?
Many everyday activities use information from both sides of the brain. Coordinating movement, combining sensory information, and responding to a changing environment all depend on communication across connected brain networks.