Orientation Receptive Fields




Assume that the lines 1-4 in the TV screen are examples of stimuli, that would be presented one at a time in an actual experiment. Also assume that each hash mark near A and B represents the stimulus orientation that best excites the receptive field.

If as illustrated on the right, electrode A is inserted perpendicular to the cortical surface, it is often found, at each penetration depth of the electrode, that the same stimulus orientation best excites the receptive field. Hubel & Wiesel interpreted this to mean that a single cortical column was penetrated. On the other hand, if an electrode (e.g. B) is inserted at a sharp angle a whole range of orientations are effective.


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