Cortical Areas
In FEAGI, we consider a cross-section between a cortical column and a cortical layer a Cortical Area that consists of mostly uniform neurons. Like in FEAGI's 3D brain monitor, it is represented by the light blue box.
Cerebral Cortex
In FEAGI, we consider a cross-section between a cortical column and a cortical layer a Cortical Area that consists of mostly uniform neurons. Like in FEAGI's 3D brain monitor, it is represented by the light blue box.
Flattened Brain
If we zoom in on the cortical area, we could see individual cubes called neuron blocks. Every FEAGI cortical area is consisted of many Neuron Blocks being the smallest selectable unit as part of the FEAGI brain visualizer. FEAGI allows you customize the dimensions and neuron properties of these cortical areas. A single neuron block in FEAGI can contain one or many neurons.
Cross-Section
In this tutorial, we're going to be explaining what would happen if you spread a brain into a flat sheet. The human brain contains many folds and grooves, which increase the surface area and accommodate more neurons to fit inside the skull, enabling higher functions The cerebral cortex is the outer most layer of brain and it plays key roles in in high level functions such as sensory perception, motor control, language and communication, executive functions, and memory and learning.
Cortical Columns
If we flatten the brain's wrinkles, we end up with a roughly 2 square feet sheet being approximately 2 to 4 millimeters thin. Looking at the flattened brain from a side view, we can cut it in half to allow us to see all the parts inside of it, including the functional patch, cortical layers, cortical columns, and cortical area. Represented in this image by the darker blobs, functional patches in the cerebral cortex are specialized and systematically organized regions of neurons, each uniquely responsive to specific types of sensory input or cognitive processes, forming an intricate network that supports our perception, thought, and behavior. Located within a functional patch, cortical columns are vertically oriented, functionally specialized units within the cerebral cortex, comprising thousands of interconnected neurons that process specific types of sensory or cognitive information. They are represented here by the dark red lines and circles at the top.
Cortical Layers
Cortical layers are distinct horizontal bands in the cerebral cortex, each with unique neurons and connections, jointly processing a wide range of sensory and cognitive information. Here you can see the black lines separating the layers into 6 separate sections.
Fun Fact
Did you know“the human brain's cerebral cortex has only six layers but potentially millions of cortical columns, a stark contrast highlighting the simplicity of its layered structure against the complexity of its columnar networks?"
FEAGI cortical areas
In FEAGI, we consider a cross-section between a cortical column and a cortical layer a Cortical Area that consists of mostly uniform neurons. Like in FEAGI, it is represented by light blue squares.
Neuron Blocks
If we zoom in on the cortical area, we can see that each block represents a neuron. Every FEAGI cortical area is consisted of many Neuron Blocks being the smallest selectable unit as part of FEAGI brain visualizer. FEAGI allows you customize these cortical areas to contain any quantity of type of neuron you want! A single neuron block in FEAGI can contain one or many neurons as well.
