The cerebral cortex of your brain is the outermost layer. It's the part of the brain that appears wrinkled because it has a lot of folds. Your cerebral cortex is divided into two hemispheres. Each hemisphere is divided into four lobes. The occipital lobe is the smallest lobe of your brain. It makes up around 12% of the surface area of the cerebral cortex. The
occipital lobe contains the primary visual processing center of the brain, including the visual cortexes. When presented with an object, your eyes send visual information to your primary visual cortex, which is also known as V1. Your visual cortex relays that information to secondary visual processing areas. These secondary areas interpret depth, distance, location, and the identity of the objects you
see. The brain is complicated, and researchers are still studying learning more about occipital lobe function. Researchers used to think the occipital lobe only controlled visual functions, but it also receives input from other brain regions, so the occipital lobe may perform additional functions. However, more research is
needed. The occipital lobe is responsible for highly complex visual functions, including: Your brain contains the following occipital lobe structures that work together to enable complex visual processing: Primary visual cortex. This area, also known as Broadman area 17 or V1, is the occipital lobe's primary visual cortex. Secondary visual cortex. The secondary visual cortex is also designated V2, V3, V4, V5, or Brodmann areas 18 and 19. It surrounds the primary visual cortex and
receives information from it. Ventral stream. The ventral stream transmits visual information to the temporal lobe and helps with object recognition. Dorsal stream. The dorsal stream connects the V1 and V2 regions. Through it, information flows from the occipital lobes to the parietal lobes. Lateral geniculate body. The lateral geniculate body is part of the thalamus. It acts as a sensory relay system by transmitting information from the retinas to the primary visual cortex. Lingula. The lingula works with the lateral geniculate body to create spatial awareness and depth perception. It processes information about what's in the visual field from the side half of the retina. Your occipital lobes are located underneath the occipital bone at
the back of your head. You have two occipital lobes, one in each hemisphere of your brain. Damage to your occipital lobe can cause the following symptoms:
What Conditions Affect the Occipital Lobe?Because of its location at the back of the head, the occipital lobe is less susceptible to injury than some other parts of the brain. Even if the occipital lobe is damaged, other regions of the brain may be able to compensate and take over some of its functions. Complete damage to the primary visual cortex can cause cortical blindness, though. Riddoch Syndrome is a rare condition that can also be caused by damage to the occipital lobe. Those affected can only see an object if it's moving in their visual field. How Can You Keep Your Occipital Lobe Healthy?The best way to protect your occipital lobe is by preventing a traumatic brain injury, and there are steps you can take to reduce your chances of sustaining such an injury. You should: Wear a seatbelt. Every time you ride or drive in a motor vehicle, buckle up. Avoid driving under the influence. Never drive while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Wear protective headgear. Wear a helmet when you:
Prevent falls in older adults. Take the following steps to reduce your risk of falling:
Protect children from injuries. Make your home safer for young children by doing the following:
What happens if the left occipital lobe is damaged?Injury to the occipital lobes may lead to vision impairments such as blindness or blind spots; visual distortions and visual inattention. The occipital lobes are also associated with various behaviors and functions that include: visual recognition; visual attention; and spatial analysis.
What are the three functions of the occipital lobe?The occipital lobe is the visual processing area of the brain. It is associated with visuospatial processing, distance and depth perception, color determination, object and face recognition, and memory formation.
What would damage to the occipital lobe do?Located at the back of the brain, the occipital lobes are responsible for visual perception. Damage to them results in loss of visual capability, an inability to identify colors, and hallucinations. At times, patients experience severe vision loss or total blindness.
What part of the occipital lobe controls vision?Brodmann area 17: Known as V1, this region is located in the occipital lobe's calcarine sulcus, and serves as the brain's primary visual cortex. It aids the brain to determine location, spatial information, and color data.
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