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.”

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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