Diagram of Brain: SKIN SENSATION

SKIN SENSATION

Here is a diagram of the brain highlighting the area responsible for skin sensation (touch, temperature, pain, pressure)—this area is called the Somatosensory Cortex.

🖐️ The Somatosensory Cortex

The Somatosensory Cortex is located in the Parietal Lobe (the area shaded in the diagram), specifically in the postcentral gyrus (the ridge right behind the central sulcus).

Function

This area is the main receiving area for somatosensory information from the entire body, which includes:

• Touch and pressure

• Pain and temperature

• Proprioception (sense of body position)

Somatosensory Homunculus

The cortex is organized in a unique map of the body called the somatosensory homunculus. The representation of body parts is distorted, with areas requiring fine-tuned sensation (like the lips, hands, and face) taking up a much larger portion of the cortex than areas with less sensitivity (like the trunk or back).

Diagram of Brain: SKIN SENSATION

If something lands on my left hand, this information will be transmitted to the right side of my brain. It goes to the area of the brain next to the area that deals with movement. The tactile area of the brain deals with physical sensation. Movement and feeling are closely related, so it makes sense that they are next to each other in the brain. Because movement and tactile areas are located close to each other, it is not uncommon for people with a brain injuries to lose both movement and feeling in parts of their body. Remember--tactile information from the left side of the body goes to the right brain, just like movement and vision.

VIDEO