ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Visual cortex

The visual cortex is like a big, beautiful movie screen inside your head. It helps you see everything around you. When you look at something, like your favorite toy or a pretty flower, your eyes send a message to your brain that something is there. Your brain then sends that message to the visual cortex, which is like a special part of your brain that helps you see the object.

The visual cortex is made up of different parts that work together. It's a bit like a puzzle, with each piece helping you put the whole picture together. Some parts help you see colors, while others help you see shapes and movement. All these different pieces work together to create the full image of what you're looking at.

When you close your eyes and imagine something, like a unicorn or a dragon, it's the visual cortex that helps you "see" these things in your mind. It's pretty amazing, isn't it?