contralateral

[ kon-truh-lat-er-uhl ]

adjective

1. (of the body) pertaining to, situated on, or coordinated with the opposite side.

contralateral

/ ˌkɒntrəˈlætərəl /

adjective

1. anatomy zoology relating to or denoting the opposite side of a body, structure, etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of contralateral¹

First recorded in 1880–85; contra- ¹( def ) + lateral

Example Sentences

Yes, he told me, “we have started to adapt these strategies in counseling women with breast cancer regarding contralateral prophylactic mastectomy.”

From Washington Post

Various biochemical substances might also be released by the working muscles and make their way to the corresponding contralateral muscles, where they could jump-start physiological processes related to muscle health.

From New York Times

A recent study published in Annals of Surgery found that rates of a contralateral prophylactic mastectomy—removing both breasts—more than tripled from 2002 to 2012, particularly among younger women.

From Scientific American

Doctors generally discourage contralateral prophylactic mastectomy—also known as CPM, or the removal of a healthy breast when the other has cancer—for women at an average risk for additional breast cancer.

From Time

The new position statement from the American Society of Breast Surgeons comes at a time when more breast cancer patients are asking doctors to remove the unaffected breast -- a procedure known as contralateral prophylactic mastectomy.

From US News