The prodigal Fasciculus

In the theme of cranial nerve zero and the lymphatic system of the brain (PN passim), A Fo Ben enjoys a discovery hidden in plain sight. There is something of a general metaphor for forgetfulness in the story of neuroanatomical discoveries that become lost in the annals of history, only to be rediscovered scores of years later. The vertical occipital fasciculus (VOF) is the only major fibre bundle connecting dorsolateral and ventrolateral visual cortex. Originally discovered by no less an anatomist as Wernicke, it quickly became controversial: but how so? It is only half an inch from the surface of the brain and so during over eager dissection you could actually rip the VOF right off and never see it. Yeatman …