Secondary somatosensory cortex

The Secondary Somatosensory Cortex (S2) or parietal operculum is a region in the brain that plays a key role in processing somatosensory information. It is located in the parietal lobe and is involved in the perception of touch, pain, and body position.

Anatomy

The Secondary Somatosensory Cortex is located in the upper bank of the Sylvian fissure, in the parietal operculum. It is adjacent to the primary somatosensory cortex (S1), and is part of the somatosensory system. The S2 is divided into several areas, including the ventral and dorsal S2, and the parietal ventral area.

Function

The S2 plays a crucial role in the processing and perception of somatosensory stimuli. It receives input from the S1 and integrates this information to create a comprehensive representation of the sensory environment. This includes the perception of touch, pain, temperature, and body position. The S2 is also involved in the recognition of objects by touch, known as haptic perception.

Clinical Significance

Damage to the S2 can result in a variety of sensory deficits, including loss of touch and pain sensation, and difficulties with haptic perception. It can also lead to somatosensory agnosia, a condition in which individuals are unable to recognize objects by touch alone.

Research

Research into the S2 is ongoing, with studies focusing on its role in pain perception, haptic perception, and the integration of sensory information. This research has potential implications for the treatment of conditions such as chronic pain and somatosensory disorders.

See Also

• Primary somatosensory cortex
• Somatosensory system
• Haptic perception
• Somatosensory agnosia

References

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Secondary_somatosensory_cortex

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  Schematic of cortical areas involved with pain processing and fMRI