Reading Assignment

  • To be given

    • General Objectives for Lecture 29

  • Define function of cortex on the precentral gyrus and the postcentral gyrus
  • Describe major similarity between primary somatosensory cortex and primary motorcortex
  • Describe major difference between primary somatosensory cortex and primary motorcortex
  • See demonstration of how motor cortical activity can drive prosthetic arms and computer mouses
  • Define granular and agranular cortex

    • Location of Motor and Somatosensory Cortex


  • Above is a labeled photo of human cortex from Murray L. Barr
  • The area labeled precentral gyrus is also called the primary motor cortex.
  • The area labeled postcentral gyrus is also called the primary somatosensory cortex.
  • primary motor cortex has a topographic representation of the body muscles
  • primary somatosensy cortex has a topographic respresentation of the body skin

    • Map of Motor Cortex


  • Major function of primary motor cortex is to drive voluntary movement.
  • Mapping Motor Cortex in Human

    • Pattern of Neuron Cell Layers in Agranular vs Granular Cortex


  • Source of Figure and description of granular versus agranular cortex

    • Map of Somatosensory Cortex


  • Major function of primary somatosensory cortex is somatosensation.
  • Topographic organization of somatosensory cortex is the homunculus.
  • Mapping Motor Cortex in Human
  • Skin Surface Area versus Somatosensory Cortex Homunculus

    • weblog

  • WEBLOG
    • Topic Zar: Heather Read
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