PSYB51H3 Lecture Notes - Lecture 6: Superior Colliculus, Efference Copy, Smooth Pursuit
Document Summary
We need exactly 6 muscles to control eye movement. So there are 3 dimensions to locate an object in space. Also the orientation of the object in space (3 possible axis for orientation = x-,y-,z-axis) [so axis on which an object could rotate 3 possible axis] So an object can be described in terms of 6 dimensions: 3 for location & 3 for orientation/rotation. Eye movements by itself isn"t perception but they are very significant. You need 2 muscles: 1 for pulling back while another for the pulling in opposite direction (to rotate on one axis) So we have 3 rotation dimensions & therefore 6 muscles! So for every rotation dimension > we have 2 muscles! These cranial nerves are named after the nuclei out of which the axons grow e. g. ocumotor nucleus [in the brain stem] fans out axons that form the cranial nerve # 3 (also called the ocumotor nerve)
