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)]

Browse dictionary by letter

a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z

Psychology term of the day

March 17th 2025

family leave

time off (paid or unpaid) from work to address family responsibilities, such as the birth or adoption of a child or the care of an immediate family member with a serious health condition. In the United States, the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 provides eligible full-time employees with up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave per year. Globally, the majority of developed countries have legislated parental leave policies with varying periods of paid time off to care for children after birth.