What's a Somatosensory Cortex?

The somatosensory cortex is a region of the brain which is responsible for receiving and processing sensory information from across the body, such as touch, temperature, and pain.

What is the somatosensory cortex and what does it do?

Cutaneous Sensory Systems

The primary somatosensory cortex is called S1. This area of the cerebral cortex receives sensory information from the somatic senses, plus proprioceptive senses and some visceral senses. It is located on the postcentral gyrus of the parietal lobe, as shown in Figure 4.3.

Where is somatosensory cortex?

The somatic sensory cortex in humans, which is located in the parietal lobe, comprises four distinct regions, or fields, known as Brodmann's areas 3a, 3b, 1, and 2. Although area 3b is generally known as the primary somatic sensory cortex (also called SI), all four areas are involved in processing tactile information.