näkökuorikerrokseen

Näkökuorikerros, also known as the visual cortex, is a region of the cerebral cortex responsible for processing visual information. It is located in the occipital lobe, at the back of the brain. The visual cortex is organized in a hierarchical manner, with simpler features like lines and edges being processed in the primary visual cortex (V1) and more complex features such as shapes and objects being processed in higher-level visual areas.

The visual information travels from the eyes to the thalamus, specifically the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN), before reaching the primary visual cortex. From V1, the information is then relayed to other visual areas, which are often referred to as the ventral and dorsal streams. The ventral stream, also known as the "what" pathway, is involved in object recognition and identification. The dorsal stream, or the "where" pathway, is responsible for processing spatial information, such as location and movement, and guides our actions in response to visual stimuli.

Different parts of the visual cortex are specialized for processing specific aspects of vision. For instance, the fovea, which is responsible for sharp central vision, has a larger representation in the visual cortex than the periphery of the visual field. Neurons in the visual cortex respond to specific orientations, colors, and movements of visual stimuli, creating a complex neural map of the visual world. Damage to the visual cortex can result in various visual impairments, including blindness, difficulty recognizing objects, or problems with depth perception.