Insular cortex
The insular cortex (also often referred to as an island Cortex, Cortex insularis, insula, Reilsche island, lobus insularis, rarely as gyrus insularis ) is a sunken part of the cerebral cortex. It is covered by the opercula of the frontal, parietal and temporal lobes. In the prenatal development of these lobes remains and frontal parts of the cortical operculum, operculum and frontoparietal operculum covers temporal and in the depth of the fossa lateralis cerebri ( lateral sulcus ) relocated, what in the jargon Opercularisierung ( cap ) is called. Cranially, the island is bounded by the sulcus circularis of the opercula. Only its tip ( Limen insulae, island threshold) is consistent with the anterior perforated substance in connection. From Inselpol radiate 5-9 turns of fan- shaped, with the short front and gyri breves, the long rear as gyri longi insulae are called.
The island of Reil ( Reilsche Island) is another name for the insula, named after Johann Christian Reil, who in 1796 first described this part of the brain.
In evolutionary terms, the Reilsche island the trunk part of the cerebral hemisphere or the connection with the Hemispärenstiel is, as the place from which the development and distribution of the cerebral cortex in the four different lobes takes place, such as in the frontal direction ( frontal lobe ) or parietal direction ( parietal lobe ) and in occipital direction ( Okzipitalhirn ).
The functional tasks are not yet fully explored. It is believed that they ( smell, taste) and the emotional evaluation of pain acts as an associative center for auditory (especially verbal ) thinking, as well as the perception of chemical stimuli. In addition, there is evidence that the posterior part of the insula plays an important role for the sense of balance. The front portion of the island is involved in empathic abilities. Recent research also prove a relationship with Love vs. Pleasurable sensations, which result in a slightly different each activation patterns in the insula.
Heavy smokers who had suffered a stroke in this region, then feel no desire for nicotine more. Scientists at the University of Iowa under the leadership of Nasir Naqvi assume that drugs to combat nicotine addiction could be developed by these findings.