Brodmann area 17

Brodmann area 17 (BA17), also known as the primary visual cortex, is a region of the brain that plays a crucial role in processing visual information. It is named after the German neurologist Korbinian Brodmann, who first defined this area in the early 20th century based on its unique cytoarchitectonic characteristics.

Anatomy

Located in the occipital lobe, BA17 is found on the medial aspect of the brain, lining the walls of the calcarine sulcus. It is part of the cerebral cortex and is the most posterior (rear) part of the human brain. It is here that the initial stages of visual processing occur.

Function

BA17 is primarily responsible for processing visual information received from the retina. This information is sent from the retina to the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) of the thalamus, and then relayed to BA17. The primary visual cortex is unique in that it is highly specialized for processing information about static and moving objects and is excellent in pattern recognition.

Clinical significance

Damage to BA17 can result in cortical blindness, a condition where the individual loses the ability to see, despite having healthy eyes and optic nerves. This is because the damage prevents visual information from being processed and interpreted by the brain.

Research

Research into BA17 has provided valuable insights into the nature of visual perception. Studies have shown that different parts of BA17 are activated when we view objects of different sizes, colors, and movements. This has led to the concept of a 'retinotopic' map within BA17, where different regions correspond to different parts of the visual field.

See also

• Brodmann area
• Visual system
• Visual perception