key term - Lateral geniculate nucleus

Definition

The lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) is a vital relay center in the thalamus that processes visual information received from the retina before it is sent to the visual cortex. It plays a crucial role in the initial stages of visual perception, including the regulation of color and brightness contrast.

Related terms

Thalamus:

A part of the brain that serves as a central relay station for sensory information, directing it to appropriate areas of the brain for processing.

Visual Cortex:

The region of the cerebral cortex involved in processing visual information, receiving inputs from the LGN.

Retina:

The light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye that converts light into neural signals which are then transmitted to the brain via the optic nerve