Barrel cortex
Barrel Cortex
The Barrel Cortex (pronunciation: /ˈbærəl ˈkɔːrteks/) is a region of the somatosensory cortex of rodents and some other animals that processes sensory information from the whiskers. The term "barrel cortex" comes from the barrel-like arrangement of neuronal cell bodies observed in this region.
Etymology
The term "Barrel Cortex" is derived from the distinctive barrel-like arrangement of the neuronal cell bodies in this region of the brain. The term "cortex" comes from the Latin word for "bark", referring to the outer layer of the brain.
Structure
The Barrel Cortex is located in the primary somatosensory cortex (S1), specifically in layer IV. Each barrel corresponds to a specific whisker, or vibrissa, on the animal's snout. The barrels are arranged in the cortex in a pattern that reflects the physical arrangement of the whiskers on the snout, a phenomenon known as a somatotopic map.
Function
The primary function of the Barrel Cortex is to process sensory information from the whiskers. When a whisker is stimulated, the corresponding barrel in the cortex is activated. This allows the animal to perceive tactile information about its environment, such as the location, shape, and texture of objects.
Related Terms
- Somatosensory cortex: The part of the brain that processes sensory information from the body.
- Vibrissa: A whisker.
- Somatotopic map: A spatially organized representation of the body in the brain.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Barrel cortex
- Wikipedia's article - Barrel cortex
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