Unveiling the Insular Lobe of Reil: Neurophysiological and Anatomical Features

Abstract

The insular lobe has long been investigated, from its anatomical descriptions to its neurophysiological activity. Located in a central location, the insular lobe participates in several afferent and efferent pathways, forming part of the eloquent and fundamental structures that make up the central core of the brain. The lobe of the insula has participation in language function, such as speech, sensory (e.g., taste), limbic, autonomic (visceral), also forming part of complex associative circuits, including part of the circuits of mirror neurons. Several functional descriptions attributed to the insular lobe have been made in patients suffering from cerebrovascular diseases, as well as in those with epilepsy. Much progress and many descriptions have also been made in patients with tumors. Despite much information already available about the insular lobe, it is likely that much will be discovered in the coming years.

Resumo

Há muito tempo já se investiga sobre o lobo da ínsula, desde suas descrições anatômicas até sua atividade neurofisiológica. Situado em localização estratégica, o lobo da ínsula participa de diversas vias aferentes e eferentes, fazendo parte das nobres e vitais estruturas que compõem o bloco central do cérebro. O lobo da ínsula possui participação nas atividades motoras voluntárias, tais como a fala, sensitivas (por exemplo, gustação), límbicas, autonômicas (viscerais), também fazendo parte de circuitos complexos associativos, incluindo parte dos circuitos dos neurônios-espelhos. Diversas descrições funcionais atribuídas ao lobo da ínsula são feitas em pacientes vítimas de acidentes vasculares encefálicos, de neoplasias, assim como em pacientes epilépticos. Apesar de muitas informações já disponíveis acerca do lobo da ínsula, muito ainda deve ser descoberto nos próximos anos.

Keywords

insular lobe - central core of the brain - insular neurophysiology - insular neurocircuitry

Palavras-Chave

lobo da ínsula - bloco central do cérebro - neurofisiologia da ínsula - circuito da ínsula

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