What is the function of commissural fibers?

The function of commissural fibers is indeed to link corresponding areas in the left and right hemispheres of the brain. These fibers play a critical role in interhemispheric communication, allowing for the transfer of information between the two sides of the brain. For instance, the corpus callosum is the largest commissural fiber bundle that connects the left and right cerebral hemispheres, facilitating coordinated cognitive and motor functions.

In contrast, fibers that connect different regions within the same hemisphere are known as association fibers, which primarily serve to integrate information from various parts of that hemisphere but do not provide interhemispheric links. Control of voluntary movement is primarily managed by motor pathways originating in the motor cortex and descending through the brainstem and spinal cord, rather than by commissural fibers. Sensory processing typically involves a variety of pathways and structures that may include thalamic relay nuclei and cortical areas, but does not specifically pertain to the role of commissural fibers.