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Related Concept Videos

Somatosensation01:33

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.
Somatosensory, Motor, and Association Cortex01:23

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...
Overview of Somatic Sensory Pathways01:29

Overview of Somatic Sensory Pathways

Somatic sensory or somatosensory pathways refer to the neural pathways that carry information related to touch, pressure, pain, temperature, and proprioception from the skin, muscles, tendons, and joints to the brain. These pathways involve several stages of processing and integration of sensory information.
The somatosensory system is divided into three main pathways: the dorsal (or posterior) column-medial lemniscus, spinothalamic (or anterolateral), and spinocerebellar pathways.
The dorsal...
Major Somatic Sensory Pathways01:28

Major Somatic Sensory Pathways

Sensory impulses related to touch, pressure, vibration, and proprioception from various body parts, such as the limbs, trunk, neck, and posterior head, travel to the cerebral cortex through the posterior column-medial lemniscus pathway. The pathway’s name derives from the two white-matter tracts that convey the impulses: the spinal cord's posterior column and the brainstem's medial lemniscus. First-order sensory neurons extend their axons into the spinal cord, forming the posterior columns...
Sensory Perception: Organization of the Somatosensory System01:11

Sensory Perception: Organization of the Somatosensory System

The somatosensory system is the central and peripheral nervous system component that senses and processes touch, pressure, pain, temperature, and body position or proprioception. The process of sensation takes place at three levels:
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...
Brainstem01:19

Brainstem

The brainstem, located inferior to the brain and superior to the spinal cord, serves as a bridge between the cerebrum and the spinal cord. It plays a vital role in relaying information and controlling critical life functions. It comprises three primary regions: the midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata.
The Midbrain
The midbrain is located beneath the diencephalon and connects the cerebrum with the lower parts of the brain. The cerebral peduncles are prominent midbrain structures that house the...

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Related Experiment Video

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A Standardized Protocol for Functional Motor Mapping Using Navigated Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
10:27

A Standardized Protocol for Functional Motor Mapping Using Navigated Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

Published on: February 27, 2026

Mapping the face in the somatosensory brainstem.

Reha S Erzurumlu1, Yasunori Murakami, Filippo M Rijli

  • 1Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland, School of Medicine, Baltimore, 21201 Maryland, USA.

Nature Reviews. Neuroscience
|February 25, 2010
PubMed
Summary

Facial sensory maps begin in the brainstem, guided by molecular signals. Homeodomain transcription factors establish early patterns, creating topographic maps for higher brain processing.

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Functional Mapping with Simultaneous MEG and EEG
06:04

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Published on: June 14, 2010

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Biology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • The facial somatosensory map in the cortex originates from brainstem representations.
  • This map is sequentially processed through the somatosensory pathway.
  • Understanding the molecular basis of this map is crucial for neuroscience.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying the development of somatotopic maps in the mouse brainstem.
  • To identify key factors involved in establishing facial and whisker representations.
  • To elucidate how early patterning translates into topographic connectivity.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of molecular mechanisms in trigeminal nuclei development.
  • Study of homeodomain transcription factors in positional patterning.
  • Investigation of signaling pathways from the brain and face.

Main Results:

  • Early molecular regionalization and positional patterning are mediated by homeodomain transcription factors.
  • These transcription factors are induced and maintained by signals from the brain and face.
  • Position-dependent information is essential for creating topographic connectivity maps.

Conclusions:

  • Homeodomain transcription factors play a critical role in establishing the facial somatosensory map at the brainstem level.
  • This early topographic organization is fundamental for relaying sensory information to higher brain centers.
  • The findings provide insights into the molecular underpinnings of neural map development.