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Updated: Jul 3, 2026
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An In Vitro Preparation for Eliciting and Recording Feeding Motor Programs with Physiological Movements in Aplysia californica
Published on: December 5, 2012
Cortical network for representing the teeth and tongue in primates
Jon H Kaas1, Hui-Xin Qi, Soumya Iyengar
1Department of Psychology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37240, USA. jon.kaas@vanderbilt.edu
Summary
Primates use tongue and teeth sensory information to evaluate food. This study identifies specific somatosensory cortical areas processing this tactile and taste information, revealing broader roles in food evaluation.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Somatosensory processing
Background:
- The tongue and teeth provide crucial sensory data for food evaluation and processing in the mouth.
- While primate hand somatosensory processing is well-studied, the cortical areas for tongue and teeth sensation remain less understood.
- Tongue receptors include both taste and mechanoreceptors, with distinct brainstem pathways, raising questions about cortical integration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify specific cortical areas representing mechanoreceptors of the tongue and teeth.
- To investigate the integration of taste and tactile information from the tongue within the somatosensory cortex.
- To elucidate the role of somatosensory areas in processing gustatory and tactile information for oral food evaluation.
Main Methods:
- Neuroanatomical tracing and functional mapping techniques were employed.
- Identification of specific representations within somatosensory areas 3b, 3a, and presumptive area 1.
- Analysis of afferent pathways from tongue mechanoreceptors and taste nuclei.
Main Results:
- Specific regions in somatosensory areas 3b, 3a, and presumptive 1 representing tongue and teeth mechanoreceptors were identified.
- Evidence suggests tongue representations in these areas receive input from the taste nucleus of the thalamus (VPMpc).
- These somatosensory areas project to higher cortical areas, indicating a potential network for processing oral sensory information.
Conclusions:
- Somatosensory areas 3b, 3a, and 1 are involved in processing tactile information from the tongue and teeth.
- These areas integrate gustatory information from the VPMpc with tactile input, contributing to oral sensory analysis.
- The findings suggest a broader role for the primate somatosensory cortex in processing both tactile and taste information, crucial for food evaluation.
Related Concept Videos
00:49The Tongue and Taste Buds
The surface of the tongue is covered with various small bumps called papillae, which either distribute what has been ingested (filiform papillae) or contain the sensory taste (or gustatory) receptor cells (fungiform, circumvallate, and foliate papillae). Embedded within each taste-related papilla are the taste buds—clusters of 30 to 100 gustatory receptor cells.
01:14Motor and Sensory Areas of the Cortex
The cerebral cortex, the brain's outermost layer, is pivotal in processing complex cognitive tasks, emotions, and various sensory inputs and executing voluntary motor activities. This intricate structure is divided into three primary functional areas: the motor areas, sensory areas, and association areas.
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.
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.
01:21Association Areas of the Cortex
Association areas are regions of the cerebral cortex that do not have a specific sensory or motor function. Instead, they integrate and interpret information from various sources to enable higher cognitive processes such as memory, learning, and decision-making. Some key association areas include the following:
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,...
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,...
01:01Tongue
The human tongue is a fascinating and complex organ, responsible for various essential functions such as swallowing, speech, and taste. It is also subject to various conditions and diseases. In this article, we delve into the anatomy of the tongue, its roles, and some common conditions that can affect it.
Anatomical Position in the Oral Cavity
The tongue is located within the oral cavity, also known as the mouth. It is attached to the floor of the mouth by a fold of mucous membrane called the...
Anatomical Position in the Oral Cavity
The tongue is located within the oral cavity, also known as the mouth. It is attached to the floor of the mouth by a fold of mucous membrane called the...
01:21Tooth Anatomy
The human tooth enables us to eat a variety of foods, speak clearly, and even aid in shaping our faces. Teeth are composed of various elements that work together. Here's a detailed look at the anatomy of a human tooth.
The Crown, Neck, and Root
The visible part of the tooth is referred to as the crown. It's covered by enamel, the hardest substance in the human body. The crown is uniquely shaped for each type of tooth, allowing for different functions such as cutting, tearing, or grinding food.
The Crown, Neck, and Root
The visible part of the tooth is referred to as the crown. It's covered by enamel, the hardest substance in the human body. The crown is uniquely shaped for each type of tooth, allowing for different functions such as cutting, tearing, or grinding food.
01:23Somatosensory, Motor, and Association Cortex
The somatosensory cortex in the parietal lobes is crucial for interpreting sensory data such as touch, temperature, and proprioception. The somatosensory cortex, situated in the parietal lobes, plays a vital role in interpreting sensory information like touch, temperature, and proprioception—awareness of body position. This specialized brain region features an organized structure wherein neurons at the top primarily process sensations originating from the lower body. In contrast, those at the...