primary visual system

primary visual system

the major visual pathway in primates, in which processing of visual information is done by the fovea centralis, enabling careful analysis of stimulus properties. Signals pass from the retina to the optic nerve, optic tract, lateral geniculate nucleus, and optic radiations, terminating in the striate cortex. It is the phylogenetically more recent visual system and functions poorly in newborns. Compare secondary visual system.