Visual Pathways and Control of Eye Movements Flashcards
What are the main landmarks of the visual pathway?
Eye Optic Nerve Optic Chiasm Optic Tract Lateral Geniculate Nucleus Optic Radiation Primary Visual Cortex (Striate Cortex)
Where do retinal ganglion axons coming down the optic nerve synapse?
Lateral Geniculate Nucleus
Where is the lateral geniculate nucleus found?
Thalamus
What are the fibres leaving the lateral geniculate nucleus called?
Optic Radiation
Which order neurones are the fibres leaving the lateral geniculate nucleus and where do they terminate?
4th Order Neurones They terminate in the primary visual cortex (Striate Cortex)
What are the first, second and third order neurones in the visual pathway?
First Order – photo-receptors (rods and cones) Second Order – bipolar cells Third Order – retinal ganglion cells
What happens as the retinal ganglion cells enter the optic nerve, which improves the transmission of the signal?
They become myelinated
What percentage of retinal ganglion cell fibres crosses the midline at the optic chiasma?
53%
Describe the convergence and receptive field sizes of rods and cones.
Rods have high convergence and large receptive fields Cones have low convergence and small receptive fields
Describe how the convergence of the rod system differs across different parts of the retina.
The rod system near that macula has lower convergence than in the peripheral retina
What is the benefit of having high convergence and a large receptive field?
High light sensitivity
What is the benefit of having low convergence and a small receptive field?
Fine visual acuity
Retinal ganglion cells can be described as on-centre or off-centre. What do these two terms mean?
On-centre – they are stimulated by light falling on the centre of the receptive field and inhibited by light falling on the edge of the receptive field Off-centre – they are stimulated by light falling on the edge of the receptive field and inhibited by light falling on the centre This is important in contrast sensitivity and enhanced edge detection
Where do the fibres that decussate at the optic chiasma originate?
The nasal part of the retina These fibres are responsible for the temporal half of the visual field
What effect do lesions anterior to the optic chiasm have on vision?
Affects only ONE eye
What effect do lesions posterior to the optic chiasm have on vision?
Affects BOTH eyes Right-sided lesion: left homonymous hemianopia Left-sided lesions: right homonymous hemianopia
What is the effect of a lesion at the optic chiasm?
Bitemporal hemianopia
Which part of the brain does the upper division of the optic radiation travel through and which parts of the visual field is it responsible for?
Parietal Lobe Responsible for the inferior visual quadrants
Which part of the brain does the lower division of the optic radiation travel through and what part of the visual field is it responsible for?
Temporal Lobe Responsible for the superior visual quadrants
The lower division of the optic radiation loops inferiorly and anteriorly before going posteriorly towards the primary visual cortex. What is this loop called?
Meyer’s Loop
What would be the consequence of a lesion in Meyer’s loop?
Superior homonymous quadrantopia
What would be the consequence of a lesion of the upper division of the optic radiation?
Inferior homonymous quadrantopia