supernumerary phantom limb

   Also known as reduplication of the phantom. The term supernumerary phantom limb refers to a rare variant of *phantom limb, consisting of multiple conscious representations of an arm or leg. The condition may be classified either as a *body schema illusion or as a * somatic hallucination. Clinically, supernumerary phantom limbs may be experienced after an amputation of one or more limbs and by individuals with a right frontomesial brain lesion who are in possession of all their limbs. In either case it has been suggested that the experience of supernumerary phantom limbs may be mediated by a dissociated conscious perception based on the various properties that the brain attributes to the limb, such as its position in relation to the rest of the body, its posture, and its movement. As a consequence, it has been suggested that the neurophys-iological correlate of the supernumerary phantom limb should be sought in the somatosensory cortex and the supplementary motor area (SMA).

   References

   Kolb, L.C. (1962). Phantom sensations, hallucinations and the body image.In: Hallucinations. Edited by West, L.J. New York, NY: Grune & Stratton.

   McGonigle, D.J., Hänninen, R., Salenius, S.,

   Hari, R., Frackowiak, R.S.J., Frith, C.D. (2002). Whose arm is it anyway? An fMRI case study of supernumerary phantom limb. Brain, 125, 1265-1274.