Receptive field structure of area 19 as compared to area 17 of the cat

Abstract

A total of 139 cells from area 19 along with a comparison sample of 172 cells from area 17 were classified using a system proposed by Orban and Kennedy, following Henry and consisting of 4 basic cell ‘families’, namely S,C,A and B, each having an end-stopped member: HS, HC, HA and HB. The two basic parameters separating the 4 families are firstly spatial overlap of ON and OFF subregions and secondly receptive field (RF) width. Spatial overlap was studied quantitatively in a number of these cells using multiple presentations of stationary slits or moving light and dark edges. RF width was determined quantitatively using bars moving at different velocities across the RF. It was found that cells with spatially nonoverlapping and overlapping subregions are present in both areas. S and HS cells, which shows similarities with simple cells, were encountered in area 19 but they constituted only 18% of the population as opposed to 55% in area 17. C and HC cells, reminiscent of complex cells, were about as common in area 19 as in area 17. In both areas C cells were the only group which consistently discharged equally well or better in response to diffuse light turned on and off than when presented with light bars. A and B families formed a minority in both areas. Area 19 contained a larger proportion of nonoriented and undriveable units, as well as a special category of cells preferring stimuli with a width larger than the length (‘rectangle cells’). RF width was generally larger in area 19 than in area 17 and its distribution in area 19 showed distinct peaks. In the part of area 19 subserving central vision these peaks appeared with a periodicity of 0.8°, suggesting that cells in this zone are supplied by one or more rows of a uniform set of afferents having a RF cetner diameter of about 0.8°. The identification of this population as W-relay cells is supported by the long latencies found in cells from this part of area 19. It is concluded that the basic principles underlying the structure of the RF are similar in both areas 19 and 17.