Synonyms
Spatial processing; Visuospatial ability
Definition
Visuospatial ability is a component of visual perception that enables processing of the visual orientation or location of objects in space. The visuospatial or “where” system is functionally and neuroanatomically distinct from the visuoperceptual “what” system. Visuospatial information is processed by a “dorsal stream” occipito-parietal pathway, while a “ventral stream” occipito-temporal processes visuoperceptual information (Ungerleider and Mishkin 1982). Specifically, the visuospatial system gets input from “type M” retinal ganglion cells which project to the ventral layers of the lateral geniculate nucleus followed by superior occipital and parietal projections. Impairments in visuospatial abilities can result in deficits in visuospatial judgment, visual neglect, topographic disorientation, and Balint’s syndrome (Capruso et al. 2006).
Historical Background
Dr. Arthur Benton credits an early case report by Dr. Badal in 1888...
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References and Readings
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Irani, F., Owens, C.J. (2018). Visual-Spatial Ability. In: Kreutzer, J.S., DeLuca, J., Caplan, B. (eds) Encyclopedia of Clinical Neuropsychology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-57111-9_1418
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-57111-9_1418
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