Visual Pathways in the Brain

A comprehensive set of flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts related to visual pathways in the brain, designed to aid in understanding and retention for an exam.

Dorsal Stream

The pathway carrying information from the occipital lobe to the parietal lobe, also known as the 'how pathway'.

Ventral Stream

The pathway carrying information from the occipital lobe to the temporal lobe, also known as the 'what pathway'.

How Pathway

Another name for the dorsal stream, providing information on how to interact with objects.

What Pathway

Another name for the ventral stream, responsible for object identification.

Occipital Lobe

The region of the brain that processes visual information.

Parietal Lobe

The region of the brain involved in sensory processing and spatial awareness, part of the dorsal stream.

Temporal Lobe

The region of the brain involved in processing auditory information and object recognition, part of the ventral stream.

Lateral Geniculate Nucleus (LGN)

A structure in the thalamus responsible for processing visual information before it reaches the visual cortex.

Contralateral

Referring to the opposite side of the body or brain.

Ipsilateral

Referring to the same side of the body or brain.

Blobs and Interblobs

Structures within the primary visual cortex (V1) involved in color sensitivity and motion/form distinction.

Magnocellular Cells

Cells in the visual system that process information from rods, important for movement detection.

Parvocellular Cells

Cells in the visual system that process information from cones, important for color and fine detail.

Optic Chiasm

The point where the optic nerves cross, allowing visual information from both eyes to be processed.

Superior Colliculus

A structure in the brainstem involved in integrating visual and auditory information.

Pulvinar

A part of the thalamus that processes visual information and sends it to various cortical areas.

V1 (Primary Visual Cortex)

The first area in the occipital lobe that processes visual information.

V2

The second area in the occipital lobe that further processes visual information after V1.

V3

A specialized region in the occipital lobe involved in processing dynamic form.

V4

A specialized region in the occipital lobe involved in processing color and shape.

V5

A specialized region in the occipital lobe involved in processing motion.

Geniculostriate Pathway

The pathway from the LGN to the primary visual cortex that processes visual information.

Tectopulvinar Pathway

The pathway from the superior colliculus to the pulvinar, involved in visual processing.

Hierarchical Organization

The structured arrangement of visual processing regions in the brain, from simple to complex.

Information Integration

The process by which visual information from both eyes is combined to create a coherent perceptual experience.

Clinical Presentation

The observable symptoms and signs associated with a particular medical condition.

Lesion

An area of damage or injury to tissue, especially in the brain.

Sensory Integration

The process by which sensory information from different modalities is combined for interpretation.

Visual Cortex

The part of the brain that processes visual information; includes V1, V2, V3, etc.

Rods

Photoreceptor cells in the retina responsible for vision in low light, associated with magnocellular cells.

Cones

Photoreceptor cells in the retina responsible for color vision and detail, associated with parvocellular cells.

Visual Field

The entire area that can be seen when the eyes are fixed in one position.

Movement Detection

The ability to perceive motion, primarily processed by magnocellular cells.

Color Perception

The ability to perceive colors, primarily processed by parvocellular cells.

Form Perception

The ability to perceive the shape and structure of objects.

Cognitive Neuroscience

The field of study that examines the relationship between cognitive processes and brain function.

Neuropsychology

The study of how brain function affects behavior and cognitive abilities.

Visual Input

The data received from the environment through visual stimuli.

Extra Striate Cortex

Brain regions beyond the primary visual cortex involved in higher-order visual processing.

Research in Vision

Academic studies focused on understanding how we perceive visual information.

Visual Schematics

Diagrams that represent the structures and pathways involved in visual processing.

Psychology Departments

Academic divisions within universities focused on the study of behavior and mind.

York University

An institution mentioned as having strong research programs in perception within its psychology department.