The somatosensory cortex is a region of the brain located in the parietal lobe. It is primarily responsible for processing sensory information from the body, such as touch, temperature, pain, and proprioception (the sense of body position). This area helps us understand and react to sensations we experience through our skin and muscles. The somatosensory cortex is organized in a way that different body parts are represented in specific areas, a concept known as somatotopic organization. This means that sensations from the hands, face, and other body parts are processed in distinct locations, allowing for precise interpretation of sensory input.