FEF stands for "Frontal Eye Field," which refers to a specific region in the frontal lobe of the brain, particularly the precentral gyrus of the frontal cortex. The FEF plays a crucial role in controlling voluntary eye movements, specifically those involved in directing the gaze towards different objects or points in the visual field.
The FEF is responsible for generating saccadic eye movements, which are rapid, ballistic eye movements that allow for the scanning and exploration of the visual world. These eye movements are essential for visual attention, fixation, tracking moving objects, and shifting the focus of attention.
The FEF receives input from various regions of the brain, including the visual cortex, parietal cortex, and superior colliculus, which integrate information about visual stimuli and spatial localization. This allows the FEF to generate appropriate signals to the eye muscles, initiating the planned eye movements.
Damage or dysfunction of the FEF can lead to impaired eye movement control, resulting in difficulty with voluntary gaze shifts, tracking moving objects, or maintaining steady fixation. For example, FEF lesions can cause symptoms such as impaired ability to follow a moving target, impaired ability to shift attention between objects, or even the inability to voluntarily shift gaze.
Overall, the FEF serves as a crucial component of the brain's oculomotor system, coordinating and facilitating voluntary eye movements necessary for visual exploration and attention.
