topographic organization

the arrangement of components in a structure, particularly the orderly spatial relationship between the distribution of neural receptors in an area of the body and a related distribution of neurons representing the same functions in cortical sensory regions of the brain. Thus, the motor cortex shows somatotopic organization, the primary visual cortex shows a topographic mapping of the retina (see retinotopic map), and the auditory system shows tonotopic organization.

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Psychology term of the day

January 13th 2025

prima facie

at first sight: on the face of things (Latin, literally: “first face”). Prima facie evidence is evidence that, although not conclusive, is considered sufficiently strong to support an inference of fact in the absence of evidence to the contrary.