As a cognitive neuroscientist with a focus on the neural mechanisms of face processing, I can provide a detailed explanation of where faces are processed in the brain. The human brain has specialized regions that are dedicated to the recognition and processing of faces, which is a complex cognitive function that involves various brain areas working in concert.

The Fusiform Face Area (FFA) is one of the most well-known regions associated with face processing. As you mentioned, it is located in the inferior temporal cortex (IT), specifically within the fusiform gyrus, which is a ridge of the cerebral cortex. The FFA is often associated with Brodmann area 37, which is a cytoarchitectonic map that categorizes the cortex into distinct areas based on cell density and arrangement.

The FFA's role in facial recognition is supported by a wealth of neuroimaging studies, including functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and positron emission tomography (PET). These studies have shown increased activation in the FFA when participants are presented with faces as opposed to other objects or patterns.

Another critical area for face processing is the Occipital Face Area (OFA), which is located in the occipital lobe, near the border of the occipital and temporal lobes. The OFA is thought to be involved in the early stages of face perception, such as the detection of basic facial features.

The Superior Temporal Sulcus (STS) is also a key region in the neural network for face processing. The STS is involved in the analysis of dynamic aspects of faces, such as facial expressions and lip movements, which are crucial for understanding social cues and non-verbal communication.

In addition to these areas, the amygdala and the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) are also implicated in face processing, particularly in the context of emotional responses to faces. The amygdala is known for its role in processing emotions, and it has been shown to respond more strongly to faces with emotional expressions.

The process of face recognition is not solely dependent on these regions but involves a network of brain areas. For instance, the parietal cortex is involved in the integration of visual and spatial information, which is important for recognizing faces at different angles and distances.

It's also important to note that face processing is not a static process but is influenced by various factors such as attention, memory, and social context. For example, the ability to recognize a face can be affected by whether the face is familiar or unfamiliar, and by the individual's emotional state and cognitive load.

In summary, the brain processes faces through a distributed network that includes the FFA, OFA, STS, amygdala, vmPFC, and other regions. Each area contributes to different aspects of face recognition, from basic feature detection to emotional and social interpretation.

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The fusiform face area - FFA (meaning: spindular/spindle-shaped face area) is a part of the human visual system that is specialized for facial recognition. It is located in the Inferior temporal cortex (IT), in the fusiform gyrus (Brodmann area 37).read more >>