Blob (visual system)

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Blobs are sections of the visual cortex where groups of neurons that are sensitive to color assemble in cylindrical shapes. They were first identified in 1979 by Margaret Wong-Riley when she used a cytochrome oxidase stain, from which they get their name.^[1] These areas receive input from parvocellular cells in layer 4Cβ of the primary visual cortex and output to the thin stripes of area V2. Interblobs are areas between blobs which receive the same input, but are sensitive to orientation instead of color. They output to the pale stripes of area V2.

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v • d • e Sensory system – Visual system and eye movement Vision Retina → Optic nerve → Optic chiasm → Optic tract → Lateral geniculate nucleus → Optic radiation → Visual cortex (Cuneus, Lingual gyrus) → Blobs Tracking Smooth pursuit: Parietal lobe - Occipital lobe Saccade: Frontal eye fields Physiologic nystagmus Horizontal gaze Abducens nucleus → PPRF → MLF → Oculomotor nucleus → Medial rectus muscle Vertical gaze Rostral interstitial nucleus → Oculomotor nucleus, Trochlear nucleus → Muscles of orbit Pupillary dilation Ciliospinal center → Superior cervical ganglion → Long ciliary nerves → Iris dilator muscle Pupillary light reflex (constriction) Retina → Optic nerve → Optic chiasm → Optic tract → Pretectum → Edinger-Westphal nucleus → Oculomotor nerve → Ciliary ganglion → Short ciliary nerves → Iris sphincter muscle Accommodation Retina → Optic nerve → Optic chiasm → Optic tract → Visual cortex → Brodmann area 19 → Pretectum → Edinger-Westphal nucleus → Short ciliary nerves → Ciliary ganglion → Ciliary muscle Vestibulo-ocular reflex Semicircular canal → Vestibulocochlear nerve → Vestibular nuclei → Medial rectus muscle Circadian rhythm Retina → Hypothalamus (Suprachiasmatic nucleus)