Line of Gennari

Line of Gennari

File:Line of Gennari.jpg

The Line of Gennari visible as a dark band in the Calcarine sulcus

The Line of Gennari (also known as the stria of Gennari) is a distinctive stripe of myelinated neurons in the brain's visual cortex. It was first described by Italian anatomist Vincenzo Gennari in the 18th century.

Overview

The Line of Gennari is a horizontal band of fibers located in the calcarine sulcus, in the primary visual cortex (Brodmann area 17). It is visible to the naked eye as a white line running horizontally across the width of the calcarine sulcus. The line is composed of myelinated axons that originate from the lateral geniculate nucleus of the thalamus and terminate in the primary visual cortex.

Function

The Line of Gennari plays a crucial role in the processing of visual information. It carries signals from the eyes to the primary visual cortex, where they are processed and interpreted. This allows us to perceive and understand the visual world around us.

Clinical Significance

Damage to the Line of Gennari can result in a variety of visual impairments, including visual field defects, visual agnosia, and cortical blindness. It is also a key area of interest in the study of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.

See Also

• Calcarine sulcus
• Brodmann area 17
• Vincenzo Gennari