Lateral geniculate nucleus Free Essay Example, 1000 words

Lateral geniculate nucleus The lateral geniculate nucleus is transmission center for visual data that is received from the retina. It happens to both eyes and it takes place in the hemisphere of the brain (Goodale and Milner, 2005). In relation to the following definition, this paper will cover the historical view of the system, based on research and followed by the findings compared to how the system is viewed in the modern world. There have been arguments based on the findings, for example arguments on whether the lateral geniculate nucleus has layers, and if it really has, then how many layers are there and does the number of layers affect the specific species that is being researched? The most important aspect, therefore, is to understand what lateral geniculate nucleus is, how its findings have evolved examples of species sampled and the actual findings in the difference between the historic view and modern view. Lateral Geniculate Nucleus Studies carried out show that in nonhuman primates visual deprivation commencing at different ages have different effects on cells in the magnocellular and pervocellular laminae of the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN). We will write a custom essay sample on Lateral geniculate nucleus or any topic specifically for you Only $17.96 $11.86/pageorder now According to Goodale and Milner (2005), lateral geniculate nucleus is a primary system where visual information is sent to the eye from the retina. All this activity happens in the hemisphere of the brain. The LGN acts as the site where ganglion cell axons synapse with neurons which in turn form optic radiations. The visual pathways are mainly described by ophthalmoscopic findings, distinct papillary and visual fields. Such findings make it possible and easy for a person to understand and locate the accurate area where the visual pathway is (Fulton, 2004). Within the LGN there is the thalamus which plays an important role in deciding the sensory information that is transmitted to the cortex. It assists in the encoding the receptive fields which carry out more advanced duties like orientation and direction selectivity. It is important to note that there have been recent findings that have shown that there are other set of retinal ganglion cells proj ected to the Lateral geniculate nucleus. The LGN of a human and old primate contains six layers, these layers are numbered from number one to six ventrally. There are other primates which have two pairs of a LGN with two layers of pervocellular, whereby one layer receiving information from ipsilateral eye and the other receives retinal input from contra lateral eye.