Primary Somatosensory Area (S1)

Question 1

What is the primary somatosensory area?

Answer 1

It’s a part of the brain that receives sensory information (like touch, pressure, and pain) from the skin, muscles, joints, and tendons.

Question 2

How does the Brain Maps Sensory Information?

Answer 2

• Different parts of the body are “mapped” onto the somatosensory area, as shown in the image. Body parts with more sensory receptors (like the hands, lips, and face) take up more space on this map.
• For example, the fingertips have a large area because they are very sensitive and have many receptors.

Question 3

Can this be modified with learning?

Answer 3

Yes. This area can change with experience. For example, someone who learns to read Braille (using their fingertips) develops a larger area for fingertips in the somatosensory map because of increased use.