The Sensory Cortical Representation of the Human Penis: Revisiting Somatotopy in the Male Homunculus

Kell, Christian A.; Kriegstein, Katharina von; Rösler, Alexander; Kleinschmidt, Andreas; Laufs, Helmut

doi:10.1523/jneurosci.0712-05.2005

Cited by 93 publications

(95 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…Task-dependent fMRI studies have extensively verified the results of Penfield, showing that distinct motor regions of our primary motor cortex become specifically activated when we perform a motor task, for example moving our fingers or other body parts [Kell et al, 2005;Newton et al, 2008;Wahl et al, 2007]. Several group resting-state fMRI studies have demonstrated that the regions of the primary motor network also show a vast amount of spontaneous neuronal activity in the absence of performing a task (i.e.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 68%

Specific somatotopic organization of functional connections of the primary motor network during resting state

Heuvel¹,

Pol²

2010

Human Brain Mapping

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Regions of the primary motor network are known to show a high level of spontaneous functional connectivity during rest. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies have reported the left and right motor cortex to form a single resting-state network, without examining the specific organization of the functional connections between subregions of the primary motor network. The primary motor cortex has a somatotopic organization, clearly separating regions that control our feet from regions that control our fingers and other body parts. In this study, 3 T resting-state fMRI time-series of 46 healthy subjects were acquired; and for all subregions along the precentral gyrus, the location of the maximum level of functional connectivity within the contralateral primary motor cortex was computed, together with whole brain functional connectivity maps, to examine a possible somatotopic organization of the functional connections of the motor network. Subregions of the primary motor cortex were found to be most strongly functionally linked to regions in the contralateral hemisphere with a similar spatial location along the contralateral primary motor cortex as the selected seed regions. On the basis of the knowledge of a somatopic organization of the primary motor network, these findings suggest that functional subregions of the motor network are one-on-one linked to their functional homolog in the contralateral hemisphere and organized in a somatotopic fashion. Examining the specific organization of the functional connections within the primary motor network could enhance our overall understanding of the organization of resting-state functional communication within the brain.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 68%

Specific somatotopic organization of functional connections of the primary motor network during resting state

Heuvel¹,

Pol²

2010

Human Brain Mapping

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“…Activation of both superior and inferior parietal lobules has been implicated in processing sexual stimuli. This was demonstrated in the context of visual cues, discussed further, as well as olfactory cues [4], and tactile stimuli [3,35]. Positive correlations were demonstrated between inferior parietal lobule activation and degree of self-reported arousal [9] or penile tumescence [9,15,36].…”

Section: Parietal Cortexmentioning

confidence: 72%

Neuroimaging and Sexual Behavior: Identification of Regional and Functional Differences

Cheng

Secondary

Burke

et al. 2015

Curr Psychiatry Rep

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The neuroanatomical correlates of human sexual desire, arousal, and behavior have been characterized in recent years with functional brain imaging techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET). Here, we briefly review the results of functional neuroimaging studies in humans, whether healthy or suffering from sexual disorders, and the current models of regional and network activation in sexual arousal. Attention is paid, in particular, to findings from both regional and network studies in the past 3 years. We also identify yet unanswered and pressing questions of interest to areas of ongoing investigations for psychiatric, scientific, and forensic disciplines.

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“…Within the posterior third of the PCL (BA3, BA1, and BA2) there is somatosensory representation of the foot and leg [4], but primary sensory representation of the human penis lies on the convexity of the postcentral gyrus in an area overlapping with the representation of the lower abdominal wall [14]. Inferior and posterior to BA3, BA1, and BA2, there is a part of BA5, and therefore the posterior PCL belongs to the medial part of the human superior parietal cortex (BA5 and BA7).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Morphology and digitally aided morphometry of the human paracentral lobule

et al. 2013

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The Sensory Cortical Representation of the Human Penis: Revisiting Somatotopy in the Male Homunculus

Cited by 93 publications

References 16 publications

Specific somatotopic organization of functional connections of the primary motor network during resting state

Specific somatotopic organization of functional connections of the primary motor network during resting state

Neuroimaging and Sexual Behavior: Identification of Regional and Functional Differences

Morphology and digitally aided morphometry of the human paracentral lobule

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