Innateness of Body Maps

Is there an inborn map of the body in the brain?

Neuroskeptic iconNeuroskeptic
By Neuroskeptic
Nov 21, 2019 12:00 AMNov 21, 2019 12:11 PM
compass brain
Do you have a magnetic compass in your head? (Credit: Triff/Shutterstock)

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The human brain contains 'maps' of the human body - a feature known as somatotopy. For instance, in the brain region responsible for processing touch sensations, the neurons which respond to touches to the feet are located near the neurons that receive input from the legs, and so on - the layout of the body is mirrored in the corresponding parts of the brain.

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