The primary visual cortex (V1, Brodmann area 17) lines the calcarine sulcus on the medial occipital lobe. It is also called the striate cortex because of a visible white band, the stria of Gennari, in its layer 4. It receives input from the lateral geniculate nucleus and maps the opposite half of the visual field, with a very large area devoted to central (macular) vision.
| Location | Banks of the calcarine sulcus on the medial occipital lobe, extending onto the occipital pole |
|---|---|
| Parts |
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| Connections |
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| Blood Supply | Posterior cerebral artery (calcarine artery); Middle cerebral artery (occipital pole, in some people) |
Performs the first cortical processing of vision, detecting edges, orientation, movement direction, colour and depth across the opposite visual field.
A lesion on one side causes a homonymous hemianopia, often sparing central vision. Bilateral damage causes cortical blindness with normal pupil reactions, and some patients deny being blind (Anton syndrome). Some people with V1 damage can still respond to objects they cannot consciously see, a phenomenon called blindsight.
Loss of the same half of the visual field in both eyes after damage to one primary visual cortex.
Loss of sight from bilateral occipital damage, as after basilar artery occlusion or posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome.
Spreading zigzag lights or blind spots caused by a wave of altered activity crossing the visual cortex.
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