Mapping cortical representations of the rodent forepaw and hindpaw with BOLD fMRI reveals two spatial boundaries

► Spatial distribution of BOLD fMRI maps was studied for rat limbs. ► Signal distribution over the extent of fMRI maps was fit with 2 spatial components. ► Boundaries of BOLD fMRI maps were determined and compared to histological slices. ► Cortical plasticity in adult rat brain was studied after nerve deafferentiation.