The Zöllner illusion (also known as the tilted lines illusion) can be explained by the fact that cortical neurons coding for similar orientations excite each other, amplifying the differences in the signalled orientation of nearby lines.

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The Zöllner illusion is often explained by the theory of misapplied constancy scaling, where the brain's mechanisms that usually help perceive the world correctly in three dimensions are misled by the two-dimensional cues, causing the parallel lines to appear as if they are not parallel. The explanation involving cortical neurons amplifying the differences in orientation is more directly related to the neural mechanisms underlying the perception of orientation and contrast, rather than the specific cause of the Zöllner illusion.

The Zöllner Illusion (Also Known as the Tilted Lines Illusion)