Psychology -> Cerebral hemispheres: occipital lobe

Occipital lobe

This lobe is located at the back of the head. The primary function of the occipital lobe is seeing. Visual input ultimately reaches the occipital lobe of the cortex where cells communicate with one another extensively in a rich processing network.

Damage to the primary visual cortex of the occipital lobe produces blindness. Damage to the visual association cortex (which includes parts of the parietal and temporal lobes, as well as the occipital lobe) of the left hemisphere affects the ability to recognise details of a visual scene. However, damage to the visual association cortex of the right hemisphere affects the visual recognition of familiar objects.