What is the term for the crossing of incoming signals from one hemisphere to the opposite hemisphere?

The term that describes the crossing of incoming signals from one hemisphere of the brain to the opposite hemisphere is decussation. This neurological phenomenon is crucial for how the brain processes and responds to sensory information. When sensory information is received on one side of the body, it is often processed in the opposite hemisphere. For example, visual information from the right visual field is processed in the left hemisphere, and vice versa.

Decussation occurs at various points along the neural pathways, particularly in the brainstem and spinal cord, where fibers cross each other to establish this inter-hemispheric communication. This mechanism allows for coordinated motor control and the integration of sensory information across both sides of the body, facilitating complex behaviors and responses.

The other terms provided relate to different concepts in neurobiology. For instance, synaptic transmission refers to the process by which neurotransmitters are released from one neuron and bind to receptors on another, which involves communication but not the crossing of signals between hemispheres. Neuroplasticity is the brain's ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections throughout life, reflecting adaptability but not specifically the crossing of signals. Cerebral lateralization denotes the specialization of the left and right hemispheres in certain functions, but it doesn't specifically address