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- Glossary
Perception
The term describes the complex process of gathering and processing information from stimuli in the environment and from the internal states of a living being. The brain combines the information, which is perceived partly consciously and partly unconsciously, into a subjectively meaningful overall impression. If the data it receives from the sensory organs is insufficient for this, it supplements it with empirical values. This can lead to misinterpretations and explains why we succumb to optical illusions or fall for magic tricks.
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- Glossary
Ventral pathway
The part of the visual processing pathway that deals with size, shape, color, and ultimately object recognition. The what pathway runs from V1 and V2 to the areas of the temporal lobe.
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White matter
The white matter refers to the myelinated fibers of the nervous system that connect one neuron to another. The white color is caused by the myelin sheath surrounding the fibers.
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Williams-Beuren syndrome
Williams-Beuren syndrome is a rare developmental disorder that is genetically determined. Those affected are missing 26-28 genes on chromosome 7. One of these genes is crucial for the development of connective tissue, which is why it cannot form properly in people with Williams-Beuren syndrome. Other characteristics include prominent cheekbones, a bulbous nose, and usually mild to moderate cognitive impairment, while language skills and social interaction are often relatively well developed.
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- Glossary
Dorsal pathway
The dorsal visual processing pathway is the part of visual information processing that is responsible for the spatial localization of objects and the perception of movement. It transmits visual information from the primary visual cortex (V1) and secondary visual areas (V2, V3) to the parietal lobes, where spatial orientation, motion analysis, and action planning take place.
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- Glossary
Cones
The cones are a type of photoreceptor in the retina. The three different types of cones – S, M, and L – are each stimulated by short, medium, and long wavelengths of visible light, enabling color vision. They are highly concentrated in the fovea and enable sharp vision.
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Cerebellar cortex
The cortex of the cerebellum, which, like that of the cerebrum, is composed of gray matter, or nerve cells. It consists of three layers and is highly folded, creating what are known as foliae, or leaves.
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Ciliary muscle
Through its activity via the zonular fibers, the ciliary muscle changes the curvature of the lens, thereby enabling accommodation (adjustment).
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- Glossary
Zona incerta
Zona incerta – the name was coined by Auguste Forel and means that nothing certain can be said about this core of the diencephalon. That was in 1877, and since then it has been discovered that the zona incerta is very well connected throughout the brain. But its function remains unknown.
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- Glossary
Zonules
The zonules are arranged in a radial pattern around the lens of the eye and connect it to the ciliary muscle.
