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insula

n. (pl. insulae) a region of the cerebral cortex of primate brains that is buried in a cleft near the lower end of the lateral sulcus. It is thought to play a major role in emotion (particularly negative emotions, such as disgust), taste, self-awareness, and motor control of functions such as swallowing and speech articulation. It may also be involved in addictive cravings and the regulation of procedural memory. Also called central lobe; insular cortex; island of Reil. [from Latin, “island”; first described by German physician Johann Reil (1759–1813)]

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Psychology term of the day

March 17th 2025

flight of colors

flight of colors

a succession of colored afterimages seen following exposure to a brief intense flash of light in a dark environment.