Ocular dominance column
![A simulation of the ocular dominance column pattern, as might be seen if the surface of V1 were colored according to eye preference.](/Images/godic/202501/30/ODCsim1111.png")
![A typical map of the relationship between ocular dominance, orientation, and cytochrome oxidase. Dark and light areas represent neurons that respond preferentially to the left and right eye. Colors represent orientation selectivity[note 1] of the neurons. Areas outlined in white have high levels of cytochrome oxidase (function not yet established).[4] Notice that the centers of orientation](/Images/godic/202501/30/ODC-OR-CX_Columns1111.png")
Ocular dominance columns are stripes of neurons in the visual cortex of certain mammals (including humans) that respond preferentially to input from one eye or the other. The columns span multiple cortical layers, and are laid out in a striped pattern across the surface of the striate cortex (V1). The stripes lie perpendicular to the orientation columns.