Processing primarily occurs in the primary somatosensory area in the parietal lobe of the cerebral cortex: information is sent from the receptors via sensory nerves, through tracts in the spinal cord and finally into the brain.
Processing primarily occurs in the primary somatosensory area in the parietal lobe of the cerebral cortex: information is sent from the receptors via sensory nerves, through tracts in the spinal cord and finally into the brain. The sensory information (touch, pain, temperature etc.,) is then conveyed to the central nervous system by afferent neurons. There are a number of different types of afferent neurons that vary in their size, structure and properties. At the primary somatosensory cortex, tactile representation is orderly arranged (in an inverted fashion) from the toe (at the top of the cerebral hemisphere) to mouth (at the bottom). However, some body parts may be controlled by partially overlapping regions of cortex. Like other sensory areas, there is a map of sensory space in this location, called the sensory homunculus. The primary somatosensory cortex was initially defined from surface stimulation studies of Wilder Penfield, and parallel surface potential studies of Bard, Woolsey, and Marshall. Association Cortex Association cortex is the cerebral cortex outside the primary areas (Figure 1). It is essential for mental functions that are more complex than detecting basic dimensions of sensory stimulation, for which primary sensory areas appear to be necessary. Figure 2-2e. Primary sensory and motor areas, sensory and motor association areas, and higher order association areas. Arrows show the direction of information flow from primary areas to sensory association areas, to higher order association areas. The information flows in the opposite direction for the motor system. Processing: The primary somatosensory area of the human cortex is located in the postcentral gyrus of the parietal lobe. The postcentral gyrus is the location of the primary somatosensory area, the area of the cortex dedicated to the processing of touch information.  Decussate: Where nerve fibers obliquely cross from one lateral part of the body to the other.  Postcentral Gyrus: A prominent structure in the parietal lobe of the human brain and an important landmark that is the location of the primary somatosensory cortex, the main sensory receptive area for the sense of touch. The primary somatosensory area in the human cortex (also called primary somatic sensory cortex or SI) is located in the postcentral gyrus of the parietal lobe and makes up four distinct fields or regions known as Brodmann areas 3a, 3b, 1, and 2. The sensory information (touch, pain, temperature etc.,) is then conveyed to the central nervous system by afferent neurons. There are a number of different types of afferent neurons that vary in their size, structure and properties. The lateral postcentral gyrus is a prominent structure in the parietal lobe of the human brain. It is the location of the primary somatosensory cortex, the main sensory receptive area for the sense of touch. Like other sensory areas, there is a map of sensory space in this location, called the sensory homunculus. The primary somatosensory cortex was initially defined from surface stimulation studies of Wilder Penfield, and parallel surface potential studies of Bard, Woolsey, and Marshall. Brodmann areas 3, 1, and 2 make up the primary somatosensory cortex of the human brain (or S1). Because Brodmann sliced the brain somewhat obliquely, he encountered area 1 first; however, from anterior to posterior, the Brodmann designations are 3, 1, and 2, respectively. Like other sensory areas, there is a map of sensory space in this location, called the sensory homunculus. The primary somatosensory cortex was initially defined from surface stimulation studies of Wilder Penfield, and parallel surface potential studies of Bard, Woolsey, and Marshall. The somatosensory association cortex (areas 5 and 7) is directly posterior to the sensory cortex in the superior parietal lobes. This receives synthesized connections from the primary and secondary sensory cortices. These neurons respond to several types of inputs and are involved in complex associations. Primary somatosensory cortex (SI; areas 3,1,2) is located in the post central gyrus. This receives somatotopic input from the VPL and VPM of the thalamus. Histologically, this area would consist of granular cortex. The primary cortex is the area in the human brain responsible for the higher brain functions that involve sensory input processing. The auditory cortex receives sound information. The temporal lobe is located above the ear in humans. The primary cortex is the area in the human brain responsible for the higher brain functions that involve sensory input processing. The auditory cortex receives sound information. View slideshow of images above.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Somatosensory_system https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Postcentral_gyrus http://www.indiana.edu/%7Ep1013447/dictionary/assn_cor.htm http://www.saylor.org/site/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Boundless.coms-Somatosensory-System.pdf https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Somatosensory_system https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Postcentral_gyrus https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Postcentral_gyrus http://www.dartmouth.edu/~rswenson/NeuroSci/chapter_11.html http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-the-primary-cortex.htm
what is the primary somatosensory cortex responsible for