Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 18, 2026

Modeling Breast Cancer in Human Breast Tissue using a Microphysiological System
Published on: April 23, 2021
Localization of the human female breast in primary somatosensory cortex
Yvonne Rothemund1, Michael Schaefer, Sabine M Grüsser
1Department of Clinical and Cognitive Neuroscience at the University of Heidelberg, Central Institute of Mental Health, J5, 68159, Mannheim, Germany. yvonne.rothemund@charite.de
Rationale:
Despite an extensive body of research on the topography of the primary somatosensory cortex (S1) little is known about the representation of the trunk.
Aim:
The aim of this study was to determine the representation of the breast in S1 in human females.
Results:
The representation of the human breast in primary somatosensory cortex was determined in ten healthy female subjects. Non-painful electrical stimulation of the mammilla (Th4 dermatome), groin (L1 dermatome) and the first digit of both sides of the body activated cutaneous receptors and thus elicited somatosensory evoked potentials. The representation of these body parts in primary somatosensory cortex (S1) was determined using neuroelectric source imaging. Equivalent current dipole localizations were overlaid with individual structural magnetic resonance images to account for individual cortical differences. The breast representation was localized between the representation of the groin and the first digit. In the medial-lateral direction the representation of the breast was approximately 15 mm lateral of the longitudinal fissure in the contralateral hemisphere. Source localizations were stable across subjects. However, one subject showed ipsilateral representation of the breast, which might be related to bilateral receptive fields of the ventral body midline representation. This study confirms the Penfield and Rasmussen (1950) invasive data by use of noninvasive source imaging.
Related Concept Videos
Somatosensation
Somatosensory, Motor, and Association Cortex
Motor and Sensory Areas of the Cortex
Motor Areas
The motor areas located in the frontal lobe are central to controlling voluntary movements. This region is further subdivided into the primary motor cortex and the premotor cortex.
Sensory Perception: Organization of the Somatosensory System
The receptor level:
The receptor level is the first stage of sensation. It involves the detection of a stimulus by specialized sensory receptors. The stimulus must arrive within the receptor's receptive field. Next, the receptor converts the energy of the stimulus...
Association Areas of the Cortex
Prefrontal Association Area: This area is located in the frontal lobe and is involved in planning, decision-making, and moderating social behavior. It connects with primary motor areas,...
Overview of Somatic Sensory Pathways
The somatosensory system is divided into three main pathways: the dorsal (or posterior) column-medial lemniscus, spinothalamic (or anterolateral), and spinocerebellar pathways.
The dorsal...
