insula

The insula, or insular cortex, is a region of the cerebral cortex tucked within the lateral sulcus and hidden laterally by the opercula of the frontal, parietal, and temporal lobes. Its name derives from the Latin word insula, meaning island, reflecting its buried location.

Anatomy and subdivisions: The insula comprises a few gyri arranged around the circular sulcus and is conventionally divided into anterior and posterior regions, with further subdivisions. The anterior insula is more closely connected to limbic and frontal networks, while the posterior insula is linked to sensory and interoceptive processing. The insula integrates information from multiple sensory modalities and autonomic signals.

Functions: The insula participates in interoception—the sense of the internal physiological state—with roles in visceral sensation, autonomic regulation, and emotional experience. It contributes to gustation, risk and uncertainty processing, empathy, and the subjective awareness of feelings. Through its connections with the cingulate cortex, prefrontal areas, and limbic structures, the insula helps coordinate perception, emotion, and behavior.

Clinical relevance: Insular dysfunction or injury can affect taste, autonomic control, pain perception, and interoceptive awareness. Lesions or epileptic activity involving the insula may produce a range of sensory, affective, or autonomic symptoms. Insular infarcts, tumors, or surgical manipulation in this region can have widespread effects due to its integrative role.

Etymology and usage: The term insula reflects its island-like position in the brain. In broader historical use, insula can also denote a small island or landform, reflecting the classical meaning of the word in Latin.