Smooth pursuits or smuð pərˈso͞ots is a phrase that refers to movements of the eyes that smoothly track a moving object. The spelling of "smooth" follows the standard English spelling conventions with the "oo" representing the long "u" sound. "Pursuits" is spelled with a "u" following the "p" to indicate the 'yew' or "u" sound, represented by the IPA symbol "ə". Together, the phrase smoothly illustrates the phonetic structure of English and its orthographic representation.
Smooth pursuits, also known as smooth pursuit eye movements, refer to the tracking movements of the eyes that occur when someone follows a moving target. It is a voluntary, coordinated, and smooth motion of the eyes that enables individuals to visually track a moving object or person.
During smooth pursuit movements, the eyes smoothly and continuously follow the target's motion, maintaining a stable and clear image on the fovea, the central part of the retina responsible for sharp vision. These movements are often associated with a person's intention to visually explore or keep track of a moving stimulus. For example, when watching a bird fly across the sky or following a bouncing ball, smooth pursuits enable us to maintain visual contact with the target.
Smooth pursuit movements rely on the coordination between the visual system, oculomotor system, and the brain. Neurons in the visual cortex receive signals from the moving stimulus and send them to the brainstem, which then activates the oculomotor system to control the eye muscles. This coordination ensures that the eyes smoothly track the motion of the target.
Smooth pursuits can vary in speed and accuracy depending on factors such as the velocity and predictability of the moving object. Impairments in smooth pursuit movements can occur in certain neurological or vision disorders, affecting a person's ability to precisely track moving targets.
The etymology of the words "smooth pursuits" can be understood by examining the origins of individual words:1. Smooth: The word "smooth" can be traced back to the Old English word "smōth" or "smōð", which meant "even, level, or polished". It ultimately originated from the Proto-Germanic word "smōthaz". The term has remained relatively unchanged throughout its history, with its meaning evolving to describe something that is sleek, even, or free from roughness.2. Pursuits: The word "pursuits" is derived from the verb "pursue", which originated from the Old French word "poursivre". This Old French term derived from the Latin word "prosequi", which meant "follow closely" or "chase". Over time, "pursuits" evolved to refer to activities, goals, or endeavors that one actively follows or engages in.