APA Dictionary of Psychology

the area of the cerebral cortex responsible for the perception of taste. The primary taste cortex (or primary gustatory cortex) is the first cortical relay for taste. Located along the sharp bend that includes the frontal operculum laterally and the anterior insula medially, it receives taste, touch, visceral, and other sensory inputs from the thalamus and permits an integrated evaluation of a chemical. Its output goes to regions that control oral and visceral reflexes in response to foods. The secondary taste cortex (or secondary gustatory cortex) is the area of cerebral cortex, located in the orbitofrontal cortex, that is the second cortical relay for taste. It identifies gustatory stimuli as either pleasant and rewarding or unpleasant and undesirable. This information from the secondary taste cortex interacts with analyses from visual, touch, and olfactory cells to permit an integrated appreciation of flavor.