Synonyms
Eye-head coupling; Gaze control; Eye-neck synergy
Definition
The control of the line of sight by the central nervous system is part of a larger visuomotor system allowing us to perceive, localize and recognize objects in the outside world. It is therefore an important research topic, and eye-head coordination further represents a good model for the study of the sensory-motor transformation mechanisms involved in the control of any multi-joint system. Eye-head coordination refers to the various mechanisms which contribute to orienting movements or to stabilization of the line of sight in space. This paper focuses on orienting movements and considers temporal and spatial coupling mechanisms, regulating respectively when and how much the ocular and cephalic body platforms move.
Characteristics
Upstream Event/Conditions
Orienting movements of the visual axis (gaze) are continuously required when animals visually explore their environment. A simple reason is that, in animals...
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© 2009 Springer-Verlag GmbH Berlin Heidelberg
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Pelisson, D., Guillaume, A. (2009). Eye-Head Coordination. In: Binder, M.D., Hirokawa, N., Windhorst, U. (eds) Encyclopedia of Neuroscience. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-29678-2_3257
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-29678-2_3257
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Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-540-23735-8
Online ISBN: 978-3-540-29678-2
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