insula

Noun

1. A block of buildings in a Roman town.
2. A structure of the human brain located within the lateral sulcus.
   • All mammals have insulas that read their body condition, Dr. Craig said. - 2007 February 6, Sandra Blakeslee, “A Small Part of the Brain, and Its Profound Effects”, in New York Times:
   • The insula registers our physical gut feelings, including the sensation of a distended stomach and other inner states like nausea, warmth, a full bladder, and a pounding heart. - 2011, Steven Pinker, The Better Angels...

   Synonyms: insular cortex island of Reil