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Though some areas of the human brain that receive primary sensory information remain poorly defined, each of the five sensory modalities has been recognized to relate to specific groups of brain cells that begin to categorize and integrate sensory information.

The primary somatosensory cortex ( SI) is across the central sulcus and behind the primary motor area configured to generally correspond with the arrangement of nearby motor cells related to specific body parts. The area includes gray matter along the central gyrus and its extension into the postcentral gyrus.

The primary gustatory area is near the face representation within the postcentral gyrus. It starts at about the most lateral point on the gyrus and continues into the insular cortex where the postcentral gyrus folds over the operculum ( Latin: eyelid or lid) of the gyrus at the lateral sulcus.

Olfactory cortex is found along the ventral surface of the frontal lobe. Olfaction, the sense of smell, is the only sensory system that is not routed through the thalamus.

The visual area known as V1, striate cortex, or ( BA 17) is located on the calcarine sulcus deep within the inside folds of the occipital lobe.

The primary auditory cortexThe primary auditory cortex the region of the brain which is responsible for processing of auditory ( sound) information. Like other primary sensory cortical areas, auditory sensations only reach perception if received and processed by a cortical area. is located on the transverse gyri that lie on the back of the superior temporal convolution of the temporal lobeThe temporal lobe is part of the cerebrum. It lies at the side of the brain, beneath the lateral or Sylvian fissure. Seen in profile, the human brain looks something like a boxing glove. The temporal lobe is where the thumb would be. Behind (posterior to)s.