Primary Visual Cortex
Primary Visual Cortex
The Primary Visual Cortex (PVC), also known as V1, striate cortex or Brodmann area 17, is the part of the Cerebral Cortex responsible for processing visual information. It is the simplest, earliest cortical visual field map and the first point of the Cortex where information from the two eyes converges.
Pronunciation
Primary Visual Cortex: /ˈpraɪmɛri ˈvɪʒʊəl ˈkɔːrtɛks/
Etymology
The term "Primary Visual Cortex" is derived from its primary role in processing visual information. The term "cortex" comes from the Latin word for "bark" or "rind", referring to the thin, outer layer of the brain.
Function
The Primary Visual Cortex is responsible for receiving and processing visual information from the Retina. It is involved in several aspects of vision, including color differentiation and motion perception. The PVC is also the first cortical area where information from the two eyes converges, allowing for binocular vision and depth perception.
Related Terms
- Cerebral Cortex: The outer layer of the Cerebrum, involved in many higher brain functions.
- Retina: The light-sensitive layer of tissue at the back of the eye, which sends visual messages through the Optic Nerve to the brain.
- Optic Nerve: The nerve that transmits visual information from the retina to the brain.
- Cerebrum: The largest part of the brain, responsible for higher brain functions.
See Also
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