what does the corpus callosum do

The corpus callosum is a thick bundle of nerve fibers that connects the left and right cerebral hemispheres of the brain, allowing them to communicate. It is composed of approximately 200 million heavily myelinated nerve fibers that form homotopic or heterotopic projections to contralateral neurons in the same anatomical layer. During infancy, the corpus callosum expands rapidly due to an increase in the number of axons, axon diameter, and myelin. The primary function of the corpus callosum is to integrate and transfer information from both cerebral hemispheres to process sensory, motor, and high-level cognitive signals. If the corpus callosum is severed, the brain’s hemispheres are not able to communicate properly, and the loss of a range of functions can occur – for example, changes to visual perception, speech, and memory.