The insula, a triangular-shaped brain region located deep in the lateral sulcus, has been the subject of increasing interest in neuroscience in recent decades. Although its exact role in the processing and regulation of various cognitive and emotional functions is still being investigated, it is believed to play a crucial role in a number of psychological and physiological processes. In this article, we will explore the anatomy of the insula and discuss its possible functions in the human brain.
Anatomy of the insula
The Insula, also known as the "island" of the brain, is located deep in the lateral sulcus and is situated just below the temporal and parietal cortex. It is a cortico-subcortical structure that consists of several distinct regions, each of which is believed to play a specific role in various cognitive and emotional processes. The insula is divided into three main parts: the anterior insula, the middle insula and the posterior insula.
Anterior insula
The anterior insula is located in the front part of the insula and It has been related to emotional awareness and the ability to empathize. It is involved in the processing of emotions and the perception of internal sensations in the body. The anterior insula is believed to play a crucial role in regulating empathy and social interaction.
Middle insula
The middle insula is situated between the anterior insula and the posterior insula. and is associated with the integration of sensory and emotional information. The middle insula is believed to play a role in decision making and regulating emotional responses to external and internal stimuli.
Posterior insula
The posterior insula is located in the most posterior part of the insula and has been related to pain perception and interoception, that is, the ability to perceive internal sensations in the body. The posterior insula has been suggested to play a role in regulating the body's response to pain and body awareness.
Functions of the insula
The insula has been associated with a wide range of cognitive and emotional functions in the human brain. The insula has been shown to play a role in pain perception, emotional awareness, empathy, interoception, decision making, and the regulation of autonomic responses. Below are some of the main functions of the insula:
Pain perception
The insula has been implicated in the perception of pain and in modulating the body's response. the same. It has been shown that the activation of the insula is associated with the conscious perception of pain and the regulation of the emotional response to it. The posterior insula, in particular, has been linked to the perception of physical pain, while the anterior insula may be involved in the perception of emotional pain.
Emotional awareness
The insula It has been related to emotional awareness and the ability to experience and regulate emotions. It has been suggested that the insula plays a role in identifying and interpreting emotional signals and generating appropriate emotional responses. The anterior insula has been associated with emotional awareness and empathy, while the middle insula may be involved in the integration of emotional and sensory information.
Empathy
The anterior insula It has been related to the capacity for empathy, that is, the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. It has been suggested that activation of the anterior insula is associated with the ability to feel empathy and perceive the emotions of others. The anterior insula plays a crucial role in regulating social interaction and understanding the emotions of others.
Interoception
The insula has been implicated in interoception, that is That is, in the ability to perceive the body's internal sensations, such as hunger, thirst, breathing and heart rate. It has been suggested that the middle insula plays a role in integrating interoceptive information and regulating the organism's responses to internal signals. The posterior insula, for its part, may be involved in the perception of specific bodily sensations, such as pain and temperature.
Decision making
The insula has been associated with Decision making and risk assessment in the human brain. Activation of the insula has been shown to be related to the evaluation of options and the prediction of the consequences of decisions. The middle insula has been implicated in the emotional evaluation of options, while the anterior insula may be involved in the regulation of emotional responses to decisions.
Regulation of autonomic responses
The insula has been related to the regulation of autonomic responses, that is, the body's automatic responses, such as heart rate, breathing and sweating. It has been suggested that activation of the insula is associated with the regulation of autonomic nervous system activity in response to internal and external stimuli. The posterior insula has been implicated in modulating the organism's response to stress and danger, while the anterior insula may be involved in the regulation of autonomic emotional responses.
Conclusions
In summary, the insula is a key brain region involved in a wide range of cognitive and emotional functions in the human brain. Its role in pain perception, emotional awareness, empathy, interoception, decision making, and the regulation of autonomic responses makes it a fundamental structure for our ability to experience and regulate our internal and external experiences. Although there is still much to learn about the insula and its exact functions, research in this area continues to advance and shed new light on this fascinating corner of the brain.