The human cerebral cortex is split into two hemispheres, with the left hemisphere largely controlling the right side of the body, and the right hemisphere controlling the left side.

Within each hemisphere, there are functional layers, with the upper layer managing the lower limbs, the middle layer managing the torso, and the lower layer managing the head.

Thus, forming a delicate structure that is inverted top to bottom and bifurcated left to right.

Each hemisphere is further divided into several nerve centers.

Each center has its fixed region, responsible for the complex differentiated yet united functions of the brain.

This division is primarily based on the grooves or fissures on the surface of the cerebral cortex.

The surface of the human brain is filled with grooves and fissures of varying depths. The raised parts between these grooves and fissures are called gyri,

The brain has three large fissures: the central sulcus, the lateral fissure, and the parieto-occipital fissure. These fissures divide the brain into the frontal, parietal, occipital, and temporal lobes.

Within each lobe, smaller grooves and fissures further divide the brain's surface into many gyri.

According to scientific research, the gyri of the cerebral cortex are divided into dozens of functional areas, such as the prefrontal cortex, visual cortex, auditory cortex, somatosensory cortex, and language cortex, among others.

"Expert Lin, initially when we stimulated and located the functional area of the cranial connection region, we mistakenly thought the two babies shared a single functional area of the cerebral cortex."

Jiang Hao, while looking at the animated diagram on his laptop, introduced their examination results, "This was because, upon local stimulation, some reaction areas of the cerebral cortex in both babies were identical."

"Later, during the re-examination, we used a microcurrent needle to stimulate those overlapping cortical areas but found that it only triggered a response in one baby's body."

At this point, Qi Xingfen took over the conversation and said, "After repeated examinations, we discovered they don't share a single functional area; instead, their two functional cortical areas are almost inseparably overlapping, or even practically fused together."

Lin Jie lightly acknowledged and asked, "Specifically, which functional areas?"

"These are the areas!"

Jiang Hao brought up another diagram on the computer screen.

This diagram highlighted three areas in striking red.

The first is the motor cortex.

This area is the center for controlling contralateral voluntary movements of the body.

It primarily receives proprioceptive impulses from the contralateral skeletal muscles, tendons, and joints, perceiving body position, posture, and movement sensation, and sends out fibers to control voluntary movements of the contralateral skeletal muscles, specifically the corticospinal tract.

The second is the auditory cortex.

It receives neural impulses transmitted from the ears under the influence of sound, producing a primary form of hearing, such as sound perception.

If the auditory areas of both hemispheres are damaged, even if both ears are functioning normally, a person will completely lose hearing and become entirely deaf.

The third is the visceral cortex.

Seeing this area, Lin Jie's heart sank.

This visceral cortex is responsible for processing incoming sensory signals from the internal organs.

The activities of the internal organs act upon the receptors on the walls of these organs, and these receptors transmit the activities into the visceral cortex. After processing, they generate sensations like hunger, satiety, suffocation, fatigue, defecation urge, nausea, pain, and sexuality.

When internal organs work normally, various sensations merge into a general self-feeling.

Only when visceral sensations become intense do they become distinct and dominant.

For instance, strong hunger contractions in the stomach can accompany a feeling of hunger, and a certain degree of fullness in the rectum or bladder can cause defecation or urination urges.

The visceral cortex processes impulses transmitted from internal organs, triggering various reflex activities, playing a crucial role in regulating visceral functions.

If there's an issue in this cerebral cortex area, visceral functions will undoubtedly become disordered, leading to potentially fatal consequences.

After a moment of silence, Qi Xingfen slowly spoke, "Expert Lin, separating the motor cortex and auditory cortex is manageable; if unsuccessful, it would only leave both babies with hemiplegia, and one ear losing hearing."

"But if there's a problem with separating the visceral cortex, then..."

She glanced at Jiang Hao and said, "I suggest we save one, giving us a significant chance of having one completely healthy infant."

Jiang Hao also expressed his view, "Dr. Lin, I agree with Dr. Qi's suggestion. This way, the surgical difficulty will be greatly reduced."

Lin Jie pondered for a moment and softly said, "Continue with more thorough examinations. Once all the results are in, we'll make our final decision."

"Currently, with these two babies, we won't prematurely give up on either until the last possible moment..."

After Jiang Hao and Qi Xingfen left the office, Lin Jie began studying the examination data they left behind.

Drenched in research, Lin Jie lost track of time until he was awakened by the ringing of his mobile phone.

It was a call from Meng Yang in Capital City.

Lin Jie answered the call, directly asking, "General Meng, hello. What patient do we have this time?"

Meng Yang's cheerful voice came through the phone, "Expert Lin, this isn't about work, this is a personal call. I'm calling to thank you as a father."

"As a father?"

Lin Jie asked, somewhat puzzled, "Could it be because I refused to make an exception for your son and enroll him as a medical class student?"

"It's because of how my son has changed."

Meng Yang sighed and said, "My son used to be well-behaved."

"It's just that in the past two years, his rebelliousness was severe. Basically, if I said east, he would insist on going west. He wouldn't listen to my guidance at all and stubbornly opposed me."

"Unexpectedly, last night, that rascal solemnly apologized to me, admitting his mistakes."

"His unusual behavior completely baffled me."

"After a deep conversation, I realized that it was Expert Lin's stern words that made him wake up."

"Expert Lin, thank you!"

Lin Jie humbly said, "General Meng, I don't dare to take credit for this."

"It's probably because your son has grown a year or two older, gained more life experience, and learned to reflect."

"My words only served to inspire him."

Meng Yang laughed heartily, "Expert Lin, this thanks is well-deserved for you."

"Why was it you, and not someone else, who could inspire him?"

After a pause, his voice came through the phone again, "Expert Lin, my son went to his high school entrance exam preparation class today."

"He decided to take the entrance exam and use his genuine skills to get into Binhai University Medical School to prove to you his determination to study medicine."

Retake the entrance exam? And apply to Binhai University Medical School?

Lin Jie furrowed his brows and said, "General Meng, I need to inform you."

"The thirty spots in the doctor specialization class have already been filled, and it's impossible for your son to be recruited into this class."

"I know, Expert Lin, you're a person of principles who only gives one chance to others."

Lin Jie discerned Meng Yang's tone, but didn't detect any dissatisfaction, and listened to him continue, "I have repeatedly conveyed this result to my son."

"He said he's aware of this result. After all, it's he who squandered this rare opportunity, and he needs to bear the responsibility."

"He also said he would use his performance to earn another chance. During the eight years of medical school, he is confident that at some point, Expert Lin, you will change your view of him."

"How about that? My son's statement and determination are quite something, aren't they?" Meng Yang said in a satisfied tone!

Since Meng Yang put it that way, Lin Jie had to show some courtesy, didn't he?

He laughed and said, "General Meng, if your son's performance in medical school is consistently excellent, one day in the future, I might consider accepting him as a student."

Meng Yang chuckled, "Expert Lin, my son has always been excellent, and he has considerable perseverance. By then, I'll be sure to prepare a proper banquet for the apprenticeship."

Lin Jie lightly reminded, "General Meng, don't be so quick to celebrate."

"What you consider excellent and what I consider excellent may have significant differences, don't you think…"

After hanging up the phone, Lin Jie noticed it was already lunchtime.

He went to the hospital cafeteria for a casual meal and then headed to the orthopedics laboratory in the hospital's comprehensive experimental building.

Here, the construction of a prototype model for the water tank equipment was underway, and Lin Jie came to check the progress.

Lin Jie entered this large room of over a hundred square meters, filled with bustling noise and saw the busy Lei Jun, as well as students like Fang Huanru, Huo Guangheng, and others, along with Lei Jun's assistant, students, and several busy workers.

He also saw an unexpected person.

Lin Jie waved this person over and asked, "Xue Linlin, why aren't you traveling, having fun, and what are you doing here?"

Xue Linlin chuckled, "I'm here to do research."

She added, "I am the research subject."

Fang Huanru came over, took off her mask, and said, "Teacher, we need an experimental sample to build this water tank equipment."

"Xue Linlin's physique is similar to Yao Henan's. She volunteered, so we brought her in."

Lin Jie exclaimed, "Let me see your design schematic."

Fang Huanru led Lin Jie to the adjacent room and displayed an animation on the computer.

It was a large water tank made of high-strength resin glass with a movable bed inside.

The bed board could be lifted, tilted, and even turned upright.

"Teacher, this is just a simple animation; later various medical monitoring and auxiliary systems will be added."

Fang Huanru pointed at the diagram and explained, "By adjusting the bed board's position, we can keep the patient's head above water, while everything below the waist remains submerged."

"We are also preparing to design a water-resistant hood, to ensure that even when the patient's body is submerged, the head will remain above water."

Lin Jie nodded, "And what solutions for physiological issues?"

"For urination, we use a catheter."

"As for bowel movements, teacher, is it possible to rely on nutrient solutions during this period?"

Lin Jie glared, "Yao Henan's body is already very weak, and after major surgery, using only nutrient solutions? Do you want to turn her into a mummy?"

Fang Huanru shrank back, timidly saying, "Then we'll think of other solutions!"

Lin Jie suggested, "Don't forget to add some entertainment equipment to ease both physical and mental discomfort..."

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