APA Dictionary of Psychology

any area within the neocortex of the brain that acts to receive sensory input—for most senses, from the thalamus. The primary sensory area for hearing is in the temporal lobe, for vision in the occipital lobe (see striate cortex), and for touch and taste in the parietal lobe (see primary somatosensory area; taste cortex). See also secondary sensory area.