Somatosensory cortex

The somatosensory cortex receives input from the ventrolateral thalamus. It consists of functional layers, of which each layer responds to a local area of skin.

Primary somatosensory cortex
Consists of four areas that receive input from specific receptors, which each have their own homunculus. It begins the process of constructing perceptions from somatosensory information. Projects to the secondary SC.

3a
Muscles. Projects onto 1.

3b
Skin (slow). Projects onto 1.

1
Skin (fast). Projects onto 2.

2
Joints, pressure. Contains multimodal cells that are responsive to other kinds of receptor types.

Secondary somatosensory cortex
Refines perceptual constructions, and sends information to the frontal cortex.