The concept of the body map was developed some 30 years ago by William Conable, and was

found to be of immense practical value in teaching and learning an improved quality of

movement. Since then, neurological science has confirmed that besides being a pedagogically
useful tool, the body map is a scientific fact; our brains do contain neural maps of bodily
functions and structures. The following essay summarizes current scientific knowledge of the
body map.
Scientific Basis of Body Mapping.
by T. Richard Nichols, PhD
Departments of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering
Emory University
Anatomical representations of the body are regular features of many parts of the brain. In the
cerebral cortex, it has been known for a long time that cells in the primary motor and sensory
areas are associated with different parts of the body, and that these cells are spatially
arranged in such a way as to represent the anatomical correspondence of these parts. In the
19th century, the British neurologist John Hughlings Jackson noticed that certain epileptic
patients would undergo seizures in which involuntary movements would progress along body
parts in anatomical sequence (from toe to hip, for example). On the basis of these careful
observations, Hughlings Jackson proposed that the body is represented on the cortical surface
in the appropriate spatial relationships. In later studies in which this "somatotopic" map was
studied directly, it was found that the size of the representation of each area is related to the
use and precision of movement of that area. More cortical "space" is devoted to the face,
mouth and fingers than the trunk. Even more recent studies have shown that within these
areas representing specific structures, such as the wrist or hand, individual muscles are
represented in a number of places depending upon the type of movement to be performed.
These maps occur in both motor areas and sensory areas, which communicate through
pathways that link different parts of the cerebral cortex. Recent research on rodents, non-
human primates and human patients with neurological disorders has also shown that the
representation of anatomy on the cortical surface is subject to considerable plasticity. In the
cases of injury or overtraining, the cortical representation can change. In the case of
amputation, the cortex representing the lost limb or limb segment will eventually come to
represent neighboring portions of the body. In the case of damage to the cerebral cortex, such
as occurs in a stroke, cortical areas near the damaged area can become associated with the
affected body part.
The cortical maps described above pertain to portions of the cerebral cortex that are
concerned with the execution of voluntary movements. These cortical areas communicate
directly with the neurons that activate muscles. The mechanisms of voluntary movement
require several prior stages of processing, however, including motor planning. Motor planning,
which consists of the more abstract aspects such as programming movement sequences and
motor strategies, occur in premotor areas that are less well understood than the executive
motor areas described above that provide the last stages of information processing. These
earlier stages of motor planning are closely linked to cortical sites of learning, memory, and the
interpretation of the special sensory systems like the auditory system. There is evidence that
maps are present in these areas as well. These maps include representations of frequency and
spatial localization of tones in the case of the auditory system. Presumably, spatial maps of the
musculoskeletal system exist in the premotor areas as well. The use of the concept of "body
map," which was proposed by William Conable, is engaged at these more cognitive levels of
processing. Conscious representations of the musculoskeletal system will influence motor
learning and planning, and will have downstream effects on the cortical maps in the executive
areas of primary motor cortex. Therefore, the details of the body map can influence cortical
representation along the entire chain of information flow, from planning through execution.
The maps in the executive areas of the cortex that represent the anatomy of the body, are
clearly dependent upon the motor and sensory experiences of the individual. In the case of a
highly trained artist such as a musician, it is expected that the cortical areas become
reorganized in a way that reflects the motor planning practices of that individual. Cortical
maps are sufficiently flexible that they can represent a wide range of motor behaviors. Some
motor practices can, however, lead to pathological changes in the musculoskeletal system,
such as tendonitis or carpal tunnel syndrome. If movement is based on an inaccurate
knowledge or perception about the anatomy of the body, then pathologic changes can result.
These practices can lead to alterations in cortical representation, which can then become
reinforcing of the faulty motor practice. Overtraining of one specific motor pattern can also
lead to pathologic changes, such as focal dystonias, in the central nervous system. These
conclusions underscore the importance of educating musicians in anatomy and physiology of
the motor system so that practices that can lead to pathology in the musculoskeletal system
can be avoided.
The basis of voluntary movement in the cortex, as well as in the cerebellum, basal ganglia and
brainstem, is the focus of intense research at present. There are certain to be important
breakthroughs in the knowledge about these mechanisms in health and disease in the near
future. An excellent introduction to the mechanisms of voluntary movement, and the role
played by maps can be found in: Schieber, MH, Voluntary descending control," Chapter 33
of Fundamental Neuroscience, edited by Zigmond, Bloom, Landis, Roberts and Squire,
Academic Press, 1999, pp. 931-950. A more general overview of mechanisms of voluntary
motion can be found in Essentials of Neural Science and Behavior, by Kandel, Schwartz and
Jessell, Appleton & Lange.