The visual cortex is located in the occipital lobe and processes visual information from the eyes via the optic nerve. It contains specialized regions for color, spatial awareness, depth, texture, and motion. The primary auditory cortex is located in the temporal lobe and processes pitch and volume. Higher-level auditory areas integrate these basics into perceptions of speech, music, and sounds. The fusiform gyrus is located near tertiary auditory areas and visual area V3, and is involved in face recognition based on its location in the brain.

1. Visual and Auditory Cortex Function and associated substructures

2. Visual Cortex Location The Visual Cortex occupies the posterior Occipital Lobe and is connected to the eyes via the optic nerve.

3. Function The Primary Visual Cortex (PVC) is highly specialized for processing information about static and moving objects and is excellent in pattern recognition. The PVC contains a number of specialized regions that process such things as color, spatial information, depth, texture, and motion. We will cover this region in greater depth in our Sensation and Perception Unit.

4. Auditory Cortex Location The Primary Auditory Cortex (Brodmann Areas 41 & 42) in the Temporal Lobe along the Superior Temporal Gyrus.

5. Function The Primary Auditory Cortex (PAC) performs the basics of hearing; pitch and volume. It is important to remember that the perception of sound, as something that carries meaning (ie. Speech, music, car horn), does not take place in the PAC but through the processes of PAC in conjunction with other association areas.

6. Substructures and associated areas Primary Auditory Cortex – tonotopically organized, which means that certain cells in the auditory cortex are sensitive to specific frequencies. This is a fascinating function which has been preserved throughout most of the audition circuit. This area of the brain “is thought to identify the fundamental elements of music, such as pitch and loudness Secondary Auditory Cortex – has been indicated in the processing of “harmonic, melodic and rhythmic patterns Tertiary Auditory Cortex –an association area that integrates everything into the overall experience of music. The three areas are concentrically organized such that the PAC is in the center.

7. Substructures and associated areas Wernicke’s area - involved in the understanding of written and spoken language. It is traditionally considered to consist of the posterior section of the superior temporal gyrus in the dominant cerebral hemisphere (which is the left hemisphere in about 90% of people).

8. Substructures and associated areas Middle Temporal Gyrus - located between the superior temporal gyrus and inferior temporal gyrus. Its exact function is unknown, but it has been connected with processes as different as contemplating distance, recognition of known faces, and accessing word meaning while reading. FusiformGyrus - Some researchers believe that the fusiformgyrus may be related to the disorder known as prosopagnosia, or face blindness

9. Follow-up Question The FusiformGyrus, located within the medial/inferior temporal lobe, is adjacent to both the Tertiary Auditory Cortex and areas of the Third Visual Complex (V3) and seems to play a large role in face recognition. Explain the relationship between the location of the FusiformGyrusand its function. Would a rose by any other name really smell as sweet?