The somatotopic organization of cytoarchitectonic areas on the human parietal operculum

The secondary somatosensory cortex (SII) of nonhuman primates is located on the parietal operculum. In the monkey, electrophysiological and connectivity tracing studies as well as histological investigations provide converging evidence for 3 distinct cortical areas (SII, PV, and VS) within this region, each of which contains a complete somatotopic map. Although the equivalency of the parietal operculum as the location of SII between humans and nonhuman primates is undisputed, the internal organization of the human SII region is still largely unknown. Based on their topography, we have previously argued that the cytoarchitectonic areas OP 1, OP 4, and OP 3 may constitute the human homologues of areas SII, PV, and VS, respectively. To test this hypothesis, we here examined (using functional magnetic resonance imaging) the somatotopic organization of the human parietal operculum by applying tactile stimulation to the skin at 4 different locations on either side of the body (face, hands, trunk, and legs). The locations of the resulting activation foci were then compared with the cytoarchitectonic maps of this region. Data analysis revealed 2 somatotopic body representations on the lateral operculum in areas OP 1 and OP 4. The functional border between these 2 body maps was defined by a mirror reversal in the somatotopic arrangement and coincided with the cytoarchitectonically defined border between these 2 areas. This somatotopic arrangement closely matches that described for SII and PV in nonhuman primates. The data also suggested a third somatotopic map located deeper inside the Sylvian fissure in area OP 3. Based on the observed topographic arrangement and their functional response characteristics, we conclude that cytoarchitectonic areas OP1, OP 4, and OP 3 on the human parietal operculum constitute the human homologues of primate areas SII, PV, and VS, respectively.