Since the original characterization of the ventral visual pathway, our knowledge of its neuroanatomy, functional properties, and extrinsic targets has grown considerably. Here we synthesize this recent evidence and propose that the ventral pathway is best understood as a recurrent occipitotemporal network containing neural representations of object quality both utilized and constrained by at least six distinct cortical and subcortical systems. Each system serves its own specialized behavioral, cognitive, or affective function, collectively providing the raison d'être for the ventral visual pathway. This expanded framework contrasts with the depiction of the ventral visual pathway as a largely serial staged hierarchy culminating in singular object representations and more parsimoniously incorporates attentional, contextual, and feedback effects.

中文翻译：

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腹侧视觉通路：用于处理物体质量的扩展神经框架

自腹侧视觉通路的最初表征以来，我们对其神经解剖学、功能特性和外在目标的了解已大大增加。在这里，我们综合了这一最近的证据，并提出腹侧通路最好理解为一个循环的枕颞网络，其中包含至少六个不同的皮质和皮质下系统利用和约束的对象质量的神经表征。每个系统都有自己专门的行为、认知或情感功能，共同为腹侧视觉通路提供存在的理由。这种扩展的框架与腹侧视觉通路的描述形成鲜明对比，后者是一个主要是连续阶段的层次结构，最终以单一对象表示为顶点，并且更简洁地结合了注意力、上下文和反馈效果。