Facial perception is an individual's understanding and interpretation of the face. Here, perception implies the presence of consciousness and hence excludes automated facial recognition systems. Although facial recognition is found in other species, this article focuses on facial perception in humans.
An adult male's face with make-up
A computer-enhanced fMRI scan of a person who has been asked to look at faces
Three-layer model of self-cognition developed by Motoaki Sugiura
A human male and female
The fusiform gyrus, also known as the lateral occipitotemporal gyrus, is part of the temporal lobe and occipital lobe in Brodmann area 37. The fusiform gyrus is located between the lingual gyrus and parahippocampal gyrus above, and the inferior temporal gyrus below. Though the functionality of the fusiform gyrus is not fully understood, it has been linked with various neural pathways related to recognition. Additionally, it has been linked to various neurological phenomena such as synesthesia, dyslexia, and prosopagnosia.
Fusiform gyrus
Cerebrum. Inferior view. Deep dissection