Cortical body representation

Cortical body representation" refers to the mapping of the human body within the cerebral cortex, primarily within the primary somatosensory cortex (S1) and primary motor cortex, a phenomenon visualized through the concept of the "cortical homunculus"[1][2][4]. These body maps are topographically organized representations, where different regions of the cortex correspond to sensation or movement of specific body parts. This organization underpins how sensory and motor information is processed in the brain and is central to the understanding of phenomena such as perception, proprioception, and motor control[1][2][3]. It is not a single molecule or traditional drug target, but rather a neural organizational principle and research topic in neuroscience.

Other names

Cortical homunculusSomatosensory homunculusMotor homunculusCortical body mapSomatotopic map