Structure and vascularization of the human visual system

The investigations of the visual system will be divided into investigations of its structure (cytoarchitecture) and its vascularization. Characteristics of the visual system are functional hierarchy, functional diversity and pronounced functional specialization in processing of visual stimuli, all of which contributed to discoveries of specific retinal projections and numerous visual areas. Almost all of these areas were discovered thanks to stimulation functional studies and by detecting cortical activity using functional magnetic resonance (fMRI) or positron emission tomography (PET). The discovery of new visual areas led to the following question: aside from being functionally specific, do these areas have specific cytoarchitectonic? The survey of existing cytoarchitectonic maps of the visual cortex showed that, in the light of new functional discoveries, they were not applicable. Consequently, there is a need for new cytoarchitectonic maps that would supply the missing relationship between structure and function of the human visual cortex. This need is what motivates our research. Investigations of the arterial vascularization of the visual system may provide data about the vascular territories and their origins, which would contribute to interpretation of the etiology of visual disorders due to vascular insufficiency.