Spatial navigation
Spatial navigation (pronounced: /ˈspeɪʃəl nævɪˈɡeɪʃən/) is a cognitive ability that allows an individual or an organism to move through the physical environment. It is a crucial aspect of behavior and survival, enabling organisms to find food, avoid predators, and reach specific destinations.
Etymology
The term "spatial navigation" is derived from the Latin "spatium" meaning "space" and the Latin "navigatio" meaning "seafaring". It was first used in the context of cognitive science and neuroscience to describe the mental processes involved in navigating through space.
Related Terms
- Cognitive Map: A mental representation of the layout of one's environment. It is often associated with spatial navigation as it allows an individual to understand and remember spatial relationships between different locations.
- Path Integration: A navigation strategy that involves keeping track of the direction and distance travelled from a starting point. It is a fundamental component of spatial navigation.
- Place Cells: Neurons in the hippocampus that become active when an animal enters a particular place in its environment. They play a crucial role in spatial navigation and memory.
- Grid Cells: Neurons in the entorhinal cortex that fire at regular intervals as an animal moves through space, creating a grid-like pattern. They are thought to be involved in spatial navigation and path integration.
- Head Direction Cells: Neurons that fire based on the direction an animal's head is facing, regardless of its location or behavior. They are thought to contribute to spatial navigation by providing a sense of direction.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Spatial navigation
- Wikipedia's article - Spatial navigation
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski