a cortical region occupying the parietal operculum (upper lip of the lateral sulcus) closely posterior to the foot of the postcentral gyrus; like the primary somatic-sensory cortex of the postcentral gyrus, this region receives sensory impulses originating in the face, trunk, and limbs; projections to the secondary sensory cortex are from the ventral basal complex (ventral posteromedial and posterolateral thalamic nuclei) and from the primary somesthetic cortex.