
The brain contains a remarkable map of the entire body called the somatosensory cortex. Different body parts occupy different amounts of space on this map depending on how sensitive they are.
This is why the lips and fingertips have much larger brain areas than the back or legs. Scientists use this map to understand touch, movement, and recovery after injuries. It's one of the most fascinating ways the brain organizes information. Every body is represented inside the brain in an unexpected way.
© National Institutes of Health