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Related Concept Videos

Somatosensory, Motor, and Association Cortex01:23

Somatosensory, Motor, and Association Cortex

The somatosensory cortex in the parietal lobes is crucial for interpreting sensory data such as touch, temperature, and proprioception. The somatosensory cortex, situated in the parietal lobes, plays a vital role in interpreting sensory information like touch, temperature, and proprioception—awareness of body position. This specialized brain region features an organized structure wherein neurons at the top primarily process sensations originating from the lower body. In contrast, those at the...
Lobes of the Cerebrum01:22

Lobes of the Cerebrum

The cerebral cortex, a critical structure of the brain, is intricately divided into two hemispheres, each consisting of four distinct lobes: occipital, temporal, frontal, and parietal. These lobes function cooperatively to regulate various cognitive and sensory functions, forming the basis of our complex neural capabilities.
Frontal lobe
The frontal lobes, located behind the forehead, are the command center of our brain, controlling personality, intelligence, and voluntary muscle movements.
Motor and Sensory Areas of the Cortex01:14

Motor and Sensory Areas of the Cortex

The cerebral cortex, the brain's outermost layer, is pivotal in processing complex cognitive tasks, emotions, and various sensory inputs and executing voluntary motor activities. This intricate structure is divided into three primary functional areas: the motor areas, sensory areas, and association areas.
Motor Areas
The motor areas located in the frontal lobe are central to controlling voluntary movements. This region is further subdivided into the primary motor cortex and the premotor cortex.
Cerebral Hemispheres01:05

Cerebral Hemispheres

The human brain, a complex organ, is functionally divided into two cerebral hemispheres—left and right. These hemispheres are interconnected by a structure of paramount importance, the corpus callosum. This substantial bundle of neural fibers is not just a bridge between the hemispheres but a crucial element for the brain's comprehensive functioning. It enables efficient communication between the two hemispheres, allowing each side of the brain to control and receive sensory and motor...
Cerebrum: Anatomical Overview I01:26

Cerebrum: Anatomical Overview I

The main and largest component of the human brain is the cerebrum. The cerebrum consists of two main parts: the cerebral cortex, an outer layer with wrinkles or folds known as gyri and shallow grooves called sulci, and a deeper region beneath it. The cerebrum divides into two distinct hemispheres and contains five different lobes: the frontal, parietal, temporal, occipital, and insula. The central sulcus separates the frontal and parietal lobes and two functionally important gyri — the...
Cerebrum: Anatomical Overview II01:11

Cerebrum: Anatomical Overview II

Each cerebral hemisphere can be divided into three main regions. The outermost region, the cerebral cortex, is a thin layer (2 to 4 millimeters thick) made up of gray matter, consisting of neuron cell bodies, dendrites, glial cells, and blood vessels. The middle region, or white matter, is primarily composed of myelinated nerve fibers organized into three types of large tracts: association fibers, commissures, and projection fibers. Association fibers connect different areas within the same...

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Updated: Jun 12, 2026

Visualization of Cortical Modules in Flattened Mammalian Cortices
08:49

Visualization of Cortical Modules in Flattened Mammalian Cortices

Published on: January 22, 2018

The insular cortex: a comparative perspective.

Camilla Butti1, Patrick R Hof

  • 1Department of Neuroscience, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, One Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1065, New York, NY 10029, USA. camilla.butti@mssm.edu

Brain Structure & Function
|June 1, 2010
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

The mammalian insular cortex exhibits significant structural diversity across species, challenging the notion of a universal organizational model. This variability likely reflects evolutionary adaptations to distinct ecological niches and selective pressures.

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Comparative Anatomy
  • Evolutionary Biology

Background:

  • The insular cortex is crucial for processing sensory, emotional, and cognitive information in humans.
  • Mammalian insular cortex displays notable morphological variations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the structural and cytoarchitectural diversity of the insular cortex in various mammalian species.
  • To compare insular cortex morphology across laboratory animals and less common species.

Main Methods:

  • Review of insular cortex structure and connectivity in mice, cats, and macaques.
  • Original morphological and cytoarchitectural analysis of insular cortex in walruses, hippos, bongos, whales, and manatees.

Main Results:

  • Significant variability observed in insular cortex shape, size, and gyrification patterns.
  • Differences noted in laminar organization, cellular specialization, and association with the claustrum across species.
  • Extreme structural diversity of the insular cortex among the studied mammalian groups.

Conclusions:

  • The insular cortex is highly variable across mammalian species.
  • These variations are likely driven by evolutionary selective pressures.
  • A single, generalized model for mammalian insular cortex organization is not feasible.