Occipital lobe
Lobus occipitalis
NervousOrgansHeadLeft and right
View left in 3D View right in 3D
- What it is
- The smallest lobe, forming the pointed back of each hemisphere behind the parieto-occipital sulcus and resting on the tentorium above the cerebellum; the calcarine sulcus runs along its medial face.
- Function
- Vision: the primary visual cortex around the calcarine sulcus receives the optic radiation, and surrounding areas analyse shape, colour and motion.
- Size
- About 4-5 cm from the occipital pole to the parieto-occipital sulcus
- Clinical note
- Each occipital lobe sees the opposite half of the visual field; a posterior cerebral artery stroke causes a homonymous hemianopia, often sparing central (macular) vision.