From the Research
The fusiform gyrus in the brain is called so because of its distinctive spindle-like or fusiform shape, as described in the most recent study on the anatomy and white matter connections of the fusiform gyrus 1. Located on the basal surface of the temporal and occipital lobes, this elongated cortical region has a characteristic tapered appearance at both ends, resembling a spindle or fusus (Latin for spindle). The term "fusiform" directly describes this anatomical configuration, where the middle portion is wider than its narrowing ends. This brain region plays crucial roles in complex visual processing, particularly face recognition (containing the fusiform face area), word recognition (visual word form area), and object recognition, as supported by studies on the functional specialization of the fusiform gyrus 2, 3, 4, 5. Its specialized function in these high-level visual tasks corresponds to its strategic position between visual processing areas and temporal lobe structures involved in memory and semantic processing. The fusiform gyrus's unique shape and position make it well-suited for its integrative role in visual cognition, with recent studies highlighting its importance in post-operative morbidity related to declining capacity 1. Some key points about the fusiform gyrus include:
- Its involvement in high-order visual information processing, particularly related to faces, bodies, and stimuli characterized by high spatial frequencies 1
- Its connections to the occipital lobe and longer association fibers that course through this gyrus 1
- Its implication in tasks such as visual processing of human faces and bodies, as well as perception of stimuli with high spatial frequencies 1