Insular Cortex: Understanding Bodily Sensations & Interoception

The insular cortex is the area of the cortex that is responsible for sensations such as feeling full bladder and feeling your lungs will burst when you hold your breath too long. It is located deep within the lateral sulcus of the cerebral cortex, and is thought to be involved in a variety of functions, including interoception (the sense of the internal state of the body), emotion, and decision-making.