Somatosensory cortex
Somatosensory Cortex
The Somatosensory Cortex (pronunciation: soh-muh-toh-SEN-suh-ree KOR-teks) is a part of the brain that processes sensory information from the body. It is involved in the perception of touch, temperature, pain, and body position.
Etymology
The term "Somatosensory" is derived from the Greek words "soma" meaning body, and "sensory" meaning sensation or feeling. The term "cortex" comes from the Latin word for "bark", referring to the outer layer of the brain.
Function
The Somatosensory Cortex is divided into two main areas: the primary somatosensory cortex (S1) and the secondary somatosensory cortex (S2). These areas receive information from the thalamus, a structure in the brain that relays sensory information from the body to the cortex. The S1 is responsible for processing the physical properties of stimuli, such as texture and shape, while the S2 is involved in the perception of the size and shape of objects.
Related Terms
- Thalamus: A structure in the brain that relays sensory information from the body to the cortex.
- Cortex: The outer layer of the brain.
- Neuron: A nerve cell that transmits information in the form of electrical signals.
- Synapse: The junction between two neurons where information is transmitted.
- Neurotransmitter: A chemical substance that transmits signals across a synapse.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Somatosensory cortex
- Wikipedia's article - Somatosensory cortex
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