Final answer:
The topographical representation of the human body in the somatosensory cortex is known as the sensory homunculus, which is a distorted map where the size of each body part reflects the density of sensory receptors, not actual size.
Step-by-step explanation:
The name for the topographical representation of sensory input to the somatosensory cortex is the sensory homunculus. The sensory homunculus is a distorted representation of the human body within the post-central gyrus, which is responsible for processing tactile information.
The distortion occurs because the size of the body parts on this map is proportional to the density of sensory receptors in that area, not to their actual size. Thus, body areas with a higher density of sensory receptors, like the hands and the face, occupy a larger area on the somatosensory cortex.
This precise organization of neurons into a topographical map makes the somatosensory cortex very important for our perception of sensations.
It's important to note that, in addition to the sensory homunculus, Brodmann's cytotechtonic maps are often referenced when discussing the organization of the cortex.
Brodmann's maps categorize regions of the brain based on structural variations at a cellular level, which often correspond to different functional areas, including the post-central gyrus.