Occipitotemporal sulcus

Anatomical feature of the brain

The occipitotemporal sulcus is a prominent groove located on the ventral surface of the temporal lobe and occipital lobe of the human brain. It plays a significant role in the organization of the visual cortex and is involved in various aspects of visual processing.

Anatomy

Diagram of the occipitotemporal sulcus

The occipitotemporal sulcus is situated between the fusiform gyrus and the inferior temporal gyrus. It extends from the occipital lobe, where it is adjacent to the lingual gyrus, and continues anteriorly into the temporal lobe. This sulcus is sometimes referred to as the "inferior temporal sulcus" in some anatomical texts, although this term can also refer to a different structure.

Function

The occipitotemporal sulcus is involved in the processing of complex visual stimuli. It is part of the ventral stream, also known as the "what pathway," which is responsible for object recognition and form representation. The regions surrounding the occipitotemporal sulcus, including the fusiform gyrus, are crucial for the recognition of faces, words, and other complex objects.

Clinical significance

Damage to the areas around the occipitotemporal sulcus can lead to various neurological disorders. For instance, lesions in this region may result in visual agnosia, a condition where a person is unable to recognize objects despite having intact vision. Additionally, the fusiform gyrus, which is adjacent to the occipitotemporal sulcus, is associated with prosopagnosia, a disorder characterized by the inability to recognize faces.

Development

The occipitotemporal sulcus, like other cortical structures, develops during the fetal period and continues to mature postnatally. The precise folding and depth of the sulcus can vary among individuals, which may influence the functional specialization of the surrounding cortical areas.

Related pages

• Fusiform gyrus
• Inferior temporal gyrus
• Visual cortex
• Ventral stream