nägemiskeskus

A nägemiskeskus, or visual cortex, is a region 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. This complex neural network analyzes various aspects of vision, including color, shape, motion, and depth.

The visual cortex is organized hierarchically. Early stages of processing occur in the primary visual cortex (V1), where basic features like lines and edges are detected. From V1, information is sent to higher-level visual areas (V2, V3, V4, V5/MT, etc.), each specializing in more complex visual computations. For instance, V4 is involved in color perception and recognizing complex shapes, while V5/MT is crucial for processing motion.

Damage to the visual cortex can result in a range of visual impairments, such as blindness, visual field defects, or difficulties in recognizing objects or faces. The precise nature of the deficit depends on the location and extent of the damage. Research into the visual cortex continues to provide insights into how the brain constructs our visual world, with implications for understanding and treating visual disorders.