Fusiform body area

Fusiform Body Area (FBA) is a region of the human brain that is part of the visual cortex and is involved in the processing of faces and other complex objects. It is located in the inferior temporal gyrus and the fusiform gyrus, hence its name.

Anatomy

The Fusiform Body Area is located on the ventral surface of the brain, in the fusiform gyrus and the inferior temporal gyrus. It is part of the visual cortex, which is responsible for processing visual information.

Function

The primary function of the Fusiform Body Area is the recognition of faces. This is a complex process that involves the integration of information about the shape, size, and orientation of facial features. The FBA is also involved in the recognition of other complex objects, such as bodies and scenes.

Clinical Significance

Damage to the Fusiform Body Area can result in a condition known as prosopagnosia, or face blindness. This is a disorder characterized by the inability to recognize faces, even those of familiar people. Prosopagnosia can be congenital, meaning it is present from birth, or it can be acquired as a result of brain damage.

Research

Research on the Fusiform Body Area has focused on its role in face recognition and its involvement in prosopagnosia. Studies have used techniques such as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to investigate the activity of the FBA during tasks involving face recognition.

See Also

• Visual Cortex
• Inferior Temporal Gyrus
• Fusiform Gyrus
• Prosopagnosia