insular

Insular is an adjective meaning rooted in or relating to an island or islands. Derived from Latin insula, it is commonly used in geography, biology, linguistics, and culture. The term can denote physical islands, island habitats, or insular phenomena in contrast to continental.

In geography and ecology, insular describes island regions, creatures, and biogeography. Islands often have distinct ecosystems and evolutionary pressures, leading to unique species and communities. The study of island biogeography analyzes patterns of species richness and extinction on islands.

In linguistics and art, Insular Celtic refers to the Celtic languages of the British Isles and Brittany, including Irish, Scottish Gaelic, Manx, Welsh, Cornish, and Breton, distinguishing them from Continental Celtic languages such as Gaulish. Insular art, or the art of early medieval monasteries in the British Isles, describes a distinctive style of manuscript illumination, metalwork, and stone carving.

In neuroscience, the insular cortex, or insula, is a region of the cerebral cortex located deep within the lateral sulcus. It is implicated in interoception, emotion, perception, and social cognition.

The term may also appear in general usage to characterize attitudes or policies described as insular: narrow, inward-looking, or lacking exposure to external influence. The neutral use remains common in scientific and descriptive writing.