Fusiform gyrus
Gyrus fusiformis
- Latin synonym: Gyrus occipitotemporalis lateralis
- Acronym: T4; BA20, 36, 37
Definition
The fusiform gyrus (FG) is a key structure for computations like face perception, object recognition, and reading. Its location along the temporal and occipital lobes is important for its function in facial recognition, as the temporal lobe deals with memory and comprehension, while the occipital lobe allows us to see. Damage to the FG's fusiform face area (FFA) can result in prosopagnosia, which is the inability to recognize familiar faces. People with apperceptive prosopagnosia can't perceive facial expressions and cues, but can recognize non-facial clues like hair and clothing.
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