AP Psychology Practice Test

Where is the sensory cortex located?

1. Front of the parietal lobes

2. Left hemisphere

3. Frontal lobe

4. Left temporal lobe

The correct answer is: Front of the parietal lobes

The sensory cortex, also known as the somatosensory cortex, is primarily located in the front part of the parietal lobes, just behind the motor cortex. This area is responsible for processing sensory information from various parts of the body, such as touch, temperature, pain, and proprioception. The organization of the sensory cortex is such that different regions correspond to sensations from various body parts, which is illustrated by the sensory homunculus— a visual representation showing the relative area dedicated to sensory processing for different body parts. The choices that suggest alternative locations, such as the left hemisphere, frontal lobe, or left temporal lobe, do not accurately reflect the anatomical location of the sensory cortex. While the sensory cortex is found in both the left and right parietal lobes, it is not confined to just one hemisphere, nor is it found in the frontal or temporal lobes, which are associated with different functions such as decision-making, planning, and auditory processing.