Selectivity for 3D shape that reveals distinct areas within macaque inferior temporal cortex

The anterior part of the macaque inferior temporal cortex, area TE, occupie s a Large portion of the temporal Lobe and is critical for object recogniti on. Thus far, no relation between anatomical subdivisions of TE and neurona l selectivity has been described. Here, we present evidence that neurons se lective for three-dimensional (3D) shape are concentrated in the lower bank of the superior temporal sulcus, whereas neurons in lateral TE are general ly unselective for 3D shape, though equally selective for 2D shape. These f indings reveal that TE consists of at Least two distinct areas, one of whic h processes a specific object property.