Which of the following body parts is associated with the greatest amount of "brain real estate" in the somatosensory cortex?
A)the back
B)the chest
C)the fingers or lips
D)the thigh

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The somatosensory cortex is a part of the brain that processes sensory information from various parts of the body. The amount of cortical area devoted to a specific body part is proportional to the sensitivity and functional importance of that part, not its size. The fingers and lips are among the most sensitive and functionally significant parts of the body, requiring a high degree of precision and sensitivity for tasks such as manipulation, speech, and facial expressions. Therefore, they occupy a larger portion of the somatosensory cortex compared to other body parts like the back, chest, or thigh.

Which of the Following Body Parts Is Associated with the Greatest