The somatosensory cortex
All information from touch receptors is processed
in the somatosensory cortex. This area sits across
the top of the brain like a hair band. Data from the
right side of the body travels to the left side of the
brain, and vice versa. Each part of the body maps
to its own area of the cortex.Touch map
Areas of the body rich in touch
receptors, such as the hands, require
more processing than others, so they
take up a greater proportion of the
somatosensory cortex.VIBRATION
GENTLE TOUCH
FIRM MASSAGE
Fluid-filled
receptors
extend into
upper dermisEnlarged,
encapsulated
receptorLarge, covered
receptor at
base of dermisRuffini endings
Also known as bulbous corpuscles, these
soft, capsulelike cells—located deep in the
dermis—respond if the skin or joints are
stretched or distorted by pressure.Pacinian corpuscle
The deepest and largest type of
touch receptor, these rapidly acting
mechanoreceptors respond to sustained
pressure as well as vibration.Meissner corpuscles
These receptors are rapidly adapting,
meaning that they respond quickly to
stimulation but stop firing if the stimulus
continues. This gives precise information.TONGUE
LIPS
FACE
EYE
HAND
SPINAL
CORD
RIGHT HAND
AXON
ARM
HEAD
TRUNK
LEG
FOOT
TOES
GENITALS
LEFT SIDE
OF BRAINSignal travels through
nerve bundleMyelinated
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