The present overview of the visual orientingcontrol system places considerable emphasis upon intrinsic and extrinsic loops, which selectively modulate tectal neurons. Understanding the function of such loops allows new approaches to comparative anatomy and physiology, without depending upon exact homologies of connections or identity of single-unit typologies. Furthermore, the main thrust of this viewpoint is that interpretation of single-unit activity in tectum – whether of frog or of monkey – depends upon specification of the organisms' 'behavioral state' or the strength and sign of activity within several intercalated loops. While the anatomist and physiologist have made great progress in bringing their fine technologies into register, the stage is now set for definitive collaborations between physiologist and behaviorist. Work on the tectum, where both sensory and behavioral events must be kept in simultaneous focus may help neuropsychologists to overcome their schizoid habit of keeping sensory and motor physiology within separate cognitive spheres.