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Lecture 3:
Visual System (chapter 11)
Introduction to the Visual
System
No questions on anatomy
Visual System
(chapter on Moodle for you)
It provides:
Recognition and location of objects
(sight):
Size, shape and texture of objects
Eye movement control:
RC
ON OC
Optic chiasm (OC)
OT
LG
Optic Tract OT)
GT
TR = temporal retina
NR = nasal retina
TR NR TR
ON OC
OT
LG
GT
VC
Processing of visual information
Neurons in the primary visual cortex are used to
discriminate the shape size and texture of
objects
Visual association cortex (adjacent cortical
areas): analysis of colors and movement
Visual information is transmitted to other areas
of the cortex to:
Adjust movement (action stream: dorsally)
Identify objects (perception stream: ventrally)
Processing of visual information
* No perception
stream: would see
the color & shape of
cup but not know
what it is
When you reach for coffee: see the image of the cup on retina & to make sure you grab the cup is
through the action stream (dorsal system) info travels from visual cortex in occipital lobe while
action stream helps guide the hand to reach for the cup
Perception stream (ventral stream) tells us what the object is about, in occipitotemporal region
Eye Movement System
Eye movements have 2 objectives:
1) Keep the gaze fixed on a target during head
movements
Vestibulo-ocular reflex
Optokinetic reflex
2) Directing the gaze at visual
targets
Saccades
Smooth pursuits
Vergence movements
Vestibulo-ocular reflex Linked to
semicircular canals
Role: to stabilize visual images during head movement
(visual fixation, allows for stable vision)
Move the eyes in the direction opposite to the head
movement to maintain stability of the visual field and
visual fixation on objects
FYOK
Optokinetic reflex
Role: To keep the gaze fixed on a target during
slow head movements + allows the eyes to
follow large objects in the visual field
It is elicited by moving visual stimuli
It has a direct influence on the perception of
movement and on postural control
FYOK
Saccadic Eye Movements
A saccade (French for jerk) is a quick, simultaneous
movement of both eyes between two or more phases of
fixation in the same direction
Very fast movement: speed can reach up to 900 degrees/s
We make make saccades: about 3X/s
Saccades can be voluntarily suppressed during such activities
a threading a needle or aiming a camera
CN III: Oculomotor
Reflexive:
FYOK (moves eye up-down,
medially
CN IV: Trochlear
(moves eye medially,
down)
Voluntary: CN VI: Abducens
(adbucts eye)
PPRF: Paramedian
pontine reticular
formation
Direction of Gaze
Smooth pursuit
Used to follow a moving
object (head is not
moving)
Horizontal and vertical https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRDDKKqkdTg
Summary table*
Semi-circular canals
reflexes
Moving object on the retina