A Connectomic Atlas of the Human Cerebrum-Chapter 16: Tractographic Description of the Vertical Occipital Fasciculus

Abstract

In this supplement, we show a comprehensive anatomic atlas of the human cerebrum demonstrating all 180 distinct regions comprising the cerebral cortex. The location, functional connectivity, and structural connectivity of these regions are outlined, and where possible a discussion is included of the functional significance of these areas. In this chapter, we specifically address regions integrating to form the vertical occipital fasciculus.

FIGURE 1.

Simplified tract map showing the structural connections that integrate within the VOF. Connections between cortical areas are color-coded based on the parcellation of origin (eg, red arrows indicate structural connections from origin V3b to areas VMV3, VVC, and V8). Note that arrows are not meant to imply the direction of information transmit.

FIGURE 2.

VOF connections from region V8. Area V8 is located in the lateral occipital cortex and has structural connections to areas V3a, V3b, V3cd, and V7. These connections are shown in the left cerebral hemisphere on T1-weighted MR images in the sagittal plane: A, medial view, B, lateral view without regions of interest, C, lateral view with regions of interest. All parcellations are identified with white arrows and corresponding labels.

FIGURE 3.

VOF connections from region PIT. Area PIT is located in the lateral occipital cortex and has structural connections to areas V2, V3, and V3a. These connections are shown in the left cerebral hemisphere on T1-weighted MR images in the A–E, sagittal and F, coronal planes: A, medial view of PIT, B, lateral view of PIT with the VOF readily identified, C, VOF connections to V2 and V3, D, VOF connections to V3a, E, entire set of VOF connections from area PIT, and F, posterior coronal view of the early visual processing regions connected to PIT. All parcellations are identified with white arrows and corresponding labels.

FIGURE 4.

VOF connections from regions A and B, V3b and C and D, V3a. Area V3b exhibits structural connections to areas A, VVC and B, VMV3. These connections are shown in the left cerebral hemisphere on T1-weighted MR images in the sagittal plane. Area V3a exhibits structural connections to areas C, VMV3 and D, VMV1 and VMV2. These connections are shown in the left cerebral hemisphere on T1-weighted MR images in the sagittal plane. All parcellations are identified with white arrows and corresponding labels.