Hypercomplex cell

Hypercomplex cell is a type of neuron found in the visual cortex of the brain. These cells are involved in the perception of motion and direction. They are named for their complex response properties, which go beyond those of simple and complex cells.

Etymology

The term "hypercomplex cell" was coined by David Hubel and Torsten Wiesel in their pioneering studies of the visual cortex. The prefix "hyper-" is from the Greek "hyper", meaning "over" or "beyond", reflecting the fact that these cells have response properties that go beyond those of simple and complex cells.

Structure and Function

Hypercomplex cells are a type of neuron found in the visual cortex, the part of the brain responsible for processing visual information. They are part of the visual system's hierarchy of cells, which also includes simple cells and complex cells.

Hypercomplex cells are characterized by their elongated receptive fields and their sensitivity to the orientation and length of visual stimuli. They respond best to lines or edges of a specific length, moving in a specific direction. This makes them particularly important for the perception of motion and direction.

Related Terms

• Neuron: A nerve cell that is the basic building block of the nervous system.
• Visual Cortex: The part of the brain responsible for processing visual information.
• Simple Cells: Neurons in the visual cortex that respond best to lines of a specific orientation.
• Complex Cells: Neurons in the visual cortex that respond best to lines of a specific orientation, regardless of their position in the visual field.

See Also

• Visual System
• Neuroscience
• Neurobiology

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