1. Visual Cortex: Located in the occipital lobe, it receives and processes information from the eyes, enabling us to see and interpret visual information.
2. Auditory Cortex: Situated in the temporal lobe, it receives and processes auditory information from the ears, allowing us to hear and understand sounds.
3. Somatosensory Cortex: Found in the parietal lobe, it receives and processes sensory information from the skin, muscles, and joints, enabling us to feel touch, temperature, pain, and pressure. While not a 'special' sense, it is important to include it as it plays a crucial role in our perception of the world.
4. Gustatory Cortex: Located in the insular cortex (which is part of the temporal lobe), it receives and processes taste information from the tongue and mouth.
It's worth noting that while these four areas are primarily associated with specific senses, they often interact and work together to create a complete sensory experience. For example, the visual cortex may integrate information from the auditory cortex to help us understand the source of a sound.