Classic and current parcellations of the posterior parietal cortex are revi
ewed, Whereas earlier studies relied on subjective observation of cortical
cytoarchitecture, present parcellations are mostly based on connectional an
d physiological criteria. These criteria have led to the identification of
five areas in the intraparietal sulcus with alleged visual function: VIP, M
IP, PIP, AIP, and LIP. Other visual parietal areas are 7a, in the lateral p
arietal surface, and, in the medial parietal wall, 7m, and V6A Present know
ledge of the dimensions, boundaries, and connections of the various visual
parietal areas is uneven: whereas LIP, 7a, and 7m have been extensively exp
lored in anatomical and physiological studies, only scant information is av
ailable for most of the intraparietal areas, It is suggested that future st
udies address the anatomical and functional parcellation of the posterior p
arietal cortex using manifold objective means of study that allow compariso
n by independent researchers. (C) 2001 Academic Press.