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Related Concept Videos

Somatosensation

Somatosensation

The somatosensory system relays sensory information from the skin, mucous membranes, limbs, and joints. Somatosensation is more familiarly known as the sense of touch. A typical somatosensory pathway includes three types of long neurons: primary, secondary, and tertiary. Primary neurons have cell bodies located near the spinal cord in groups of neurons called dorsal root ganglia. The sensory neurons of ganglia innervate designated areas of skin called dermatomes.

Motor and Sensory Areas of the Cortex

Motor 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.

Somatosensory, Motor, and Association Cortex

Somatosensory, 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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 23, 2026

An Experiment Using Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy and Robot-Assisted Multi-Joint Pointing Movements of the Lower Limb

An Experiment Using Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy and Robot-Assisted Multi-Joint Pointing Movements of the Lower Limb

Published on: June 7, 2024

Within-limb somatotopy in primary motor cortex--revealed using fMRI.

Ela B Plow¹, Pooja Arora, Megan A Pline

¹Program in Rehabilitation Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA. ebhatt@bidmc.harvard.edu

Cortex; a Journal Devoted to the Study of the Nervous System and Behavior

|May 19, 2009

Summary

Primary motor cortex (M1) representations for fingers and elbows overlap, yet maintain distinct somatotopic centers. This functional somatotopy allows for both coordinated and individualized limb control.

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Last Updated: Jun 23, 2026

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Functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy of the Sensory and Motor Brain Regions with Simultaneous Kinematic and EMG Monitoring During Motor Tasks

Functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy of the Sensory and Motor Brain Regions with Simultaneous Kinematic and EMG Monitoring During Motor Tasks

Published on: December 5, 2014

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Motor Control
Brain Mapping

Background:

The organization of within-limb representations in the primary motor cortex (M1) is debated, with theories suggesting either overlap or distinct somatotopy.
Understanding this organization is crucial for comprehending motor control and potential reorganization after learning or injury.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the somatotopy of finger and elbow representations in M1 using high-resolution functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).
To determine the extent of overlap and distinctness between these representations.
To evaluate different localization markers (center of mass and peak of activation) and fMRI signal intensity differences.

Main Methods:

fMRI was used in 24 subjects during finger and elbow tracking tasks to define activation-based representations.
Differential analysis identified non-overlapping regions.
Center of mass (COM), peak of activation (POA), and fMRI signal intensity were recorded for all representation parts.

Main Results:

Finger and elbow representations in M1 exhibit overlap but possess distinct somatotopic centers (finger lateral to overlap, elbow medial).
Excluding the overlap enhances somatotopic distinction, with COM showing differences across all axes and POA along the x-axis.
fMRI signal intensity is highest in the overlapping region and lowest in the non-overlapping finger and elbow representations.

Conclusions:

Somatotopic gradients persist in M1 despite representational overlap, supporting a 'functional somatotopy' model.
This flexible organization facilitates both multi-joint coordination (overlap) and individualized control (discrete centers).
COM and POA, along with fMRI intensity, may serve as markers for location, reorganization, and changes in somatotopic organization.