A new neural framework for visuospatial processing is presented, identifying three distinct pathways emerging from the dorsal stream: parieto–prefrontal, parieto–premotor, and parieto–medial temporal. These pathways support spatial working memory, visually guided action, and spatial navigation, respectively. The dorsal stream, originally identified in monkeys as two anatomically and functionally distinct pathways, now is shown to give rise to these three major pathways. The parieto–medial temporal pathway, which courses through the posterior cingulate and retrosplenial cortices to the medial temporal lobe, is particularly important for spatial navigation. The existence of these multiple pathways suggests that earlier characterizations of the dorsal stream as either a perceptual 'Where' or motoric 'How' pathway were insufficient. The study highlights the role of the posterior parietal cortex in spatial processing and shows that the dorsal stream contributes to both spatial perception and non-conscious spatial processing. The parieto–medial temporal pathway is shown to be crucial for navigation, with damage to this pathway leading to various forms of topographic disorientation. The study also emphasizes the importance of the hippocampus in spatial processing and navigation, with the parieto–medial temporal pathway providing spatial information to the hippocampus. The findings suggest that the dorsal stream is a multifaceted system that supports both conscious and non-conscious visuospatial processing. The study concludes that the dorsal stream, originally defined as the pathway between the striate cortex and the posterior part of the inferior parietal lobule, actually comprises a widespread visuospatial processing system that contributes to both spatial perception and non-conscious spatial processing across numerous cortical areas in the frontal, temporal, and limbic lobes.A new neural framework for visuospatial processing is presented, identifying three distinct pathways emerging from the dorsal stream: parieto–prefrontal, parieto–premotor, and parieto–medial temporal. These pathways support spatial working memory, visually guided action, and spatial navigation, respectively. The dorsal stream, originally identified in monkeys as two anatomically and functionally distinct pathways, now is shown to give rise to these three major pathways. The parieto–medial temporal pathway, which courses through the posterior cingulate and retrosplenial cortices to the medial temporal lobe, is particularly important for spatial navigation. The existence of these multiple pathways suggests that earlier characterizations of the dorsal stream as either a perceptual 'Where' or motoric 'How' pathway were insufficient. The study highlights the role of the posterior parietal cortex in spatial processing and shows that the dorsal stream contributes to both spatial perception and non-conscious spatial processing. The parieto–medial temporal pathway is shown to be crucial for navigation, with damage to this pathway leading to various forms of topographic disorientation. The study also emphasizes the importance of the hippocampus in spatial processing and navigation, with the parieto–medial temporal pathway providing spatial information to the hippocampus. The findings suggest that the dorsal stream is a multifaceted system that supports both conscious and non-conscious visuospatial processing. The study concludes that the dorsal stream, originally defined as the pathway between the striate cortex and the posterior part of the inferior parietal lobule, actually comprises a widespread visuospatial processing system that contributes to both spatial perception and non-conscious spatial processing across numerous cortical areas in the frontal, temporal, and limbic lobes.