Question

A _______ is a term used when parts of the body are mapped onto the cerebral cortex in a way that preserves their anatomical position on the body.

1) localization of function map
2) somatotopic map
3) somatosensory cortex
4) brain map
5) functional MRI

Answer 1

A somatotopic map refers to the topographical representation of the body on the cerebral cortex, where body regions are proportionally mapped based on their sensory input.

Step-by-step explanation:

The term used when parts of the body are mapped onto the cerebral cortex in a way that preserves their anatomical position on the body is referred to as a somatotopic map. The sensory homunculus provides a visual representation of this concept within the somatosensory cortex, where body parts are laid across the cortex, with regions corresponding to various parts of the body in proportionate fashion based on their sensory input and not their actual size. This topology is exaggerated for the more sensitive areas of the body, illustrating a higher number of cortical cells dedicated to processing sensations from these areas, such as the fingers and the face, compared to less sensitive parts.