[Space and spatial orientation].
Space and spatial orientation has been a subject of interest of researchers for many years. Spatial orientation can be divided into cued navigation and place navigation. The latter requires more complex neuronal computations and is considered to be a model of higher cognitive functions in animals. Allothetic orientation is based on determining the location of the subject with respect to orientating cues and gradients in its surrounding. Idiothetic orientation involves integrating the information generated during active and passive self-motion in order to obtain the actual position of the subject with respect to the starting point. This article reviews the historical evolution of spatial concepts, the types of orientation, and their neuronal implementation. Description of the most widely used methods of studying mechanisms of spatial orientation is also included.