Näkökuorikerros

Näkökuorikerros, also known as the visual cortex, is a part of the cerebral cortex responsible for processing visual information. Located in the occipital lobe at the back of the brain, it receives input from the eyes via the optic nerve. The visual cortex is highly organized, with different areas specializing in processing various aspects of vision, such as shape, color, motion, and depth.

The primary visual cortex, also called V1, is the first cortical area to receive visual input. From V1, information is further processed and sent to other visual areas, collectively known as the extrastriate cortex. These areas are organized into distinct pathways, often referred to as the "what" pathway (ventral stream), which is involved in object recognition, and the "where" or "how" pathway (dorsal stream), which is involved in spatial processing and guiding actions.

Damage to the visual cortex can result in various visual impairments, including blindness, difficulty recognizing objects, or problems with spatial awareness. The study of the visual cortex has been crucial in understanding how the brain constructs our perception of the world. Neuroscientific research continues to explore the complex mechanisms by which the näkökuorikerros interprets the vast amount of visual data we encounter daily.