Question

Describe the relevance of the following anatomical terms related to the somatosensory pathways: primary and secondary somatosensory association cortex.

A) They are regions in the spinal cord.
B) They process sensory information in the brain.
C) They are motor control centers in the brain.
D) They are part of the auditory pathway.

Answer 1

The primary and secondary somatosensory association cortex are regions in the cerebral cortex that process sensory information in the brain. These areas receive and interpret somatosensory inputs from the body.

Step-by-step explanation:

The primary and secondary somatosensory association cortex are regions in the cerebral cortex that process sensory information in the brain. These areas are responsible for receiving and interpreting somatosensory inputs from the body, such as touch, temperature, and pain.

The primary somatosensory cortex, also known as S1, is the first cortical region to receive sensory inputs from the thalamus. It is located in the parietal lobe and is organized in a somatotopic manner, meaning that different body parts are represented in different areas of the cortex.

The secondary somatosensory association cortex, also known as S2, is located adjacent to the primary somatosensory cortex. It receives inputs from the primary somatosensory cortex and integrates additional sensory information, such as proprioception and spatial awareness.