hemispherectomy

medical procedure

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

July 20, 2026

Quick Summary

Hemispherectomy is a medical procedure involving the surgical removal of one cerebral hemisphere of the brain. This drastic intervention is typically reserved for severe cases of epilepsy or other neurological conditions that cause debilitating seizures and affect only one side of the brain.12

While the concept of removing half of the brain may seem alarming, individuals who undergo hemispherectomy can often regain significant function. The brain's plasticity allows the remaining hemisphere to take over many of the functions of the removed side, especially in younger patients. This procedure, first used around 1941, is a testament to the brain's remarkable ability to adapt.12

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

2 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

Ben Carson
…refined a technique known as hemispherectomy, in which one-half of the brain is removed to prevent seizures in persons with severe epilepsy. He later became active in politics and served as U.S. secretary of housing and urban development (HUD; 2017–21) in the administration of U.S. Pres. Donald Trump.
Read More
…refined a technique known as hemispherectomy, in which one-half of the brain is removed to prevent seizures in persons with severe epilepsy. He later became active in politics and served as U.S. secretary of housing and urban development (HUD; 2017–21) in the administration of U.S. Pres. Donald Trump.
Read More