amygdala

noun amyg·da·la \ ə-ˈmig-də-lə \

|Updated on: 7 Jun 2018

Definition of amygdala

plural amygdalae play \-ˌlē, -ˌlī\

: the one of the four basal ganglia in each cerebral hemisphere that is part of the limbic system and consists of an almond-shaped mass of gray matter in the anterior extremity of the temporal lobe — called also amygdaloid nucleus

Recent Examples of amygdala from the Web

The olfactory bulb — the area of the brain that processes odors — is tightly connected to the amygdala, which is where the brain reacts emotionally.

— alessandra potenza, The Verge, "Puke, poop, and sweat: a ranking of New York City’s grossest attractions," 9 May 2018
Scientists can look at the brains of young mammals — whether humans, rats, or monkeys — when they’re separated from their mothers and see reactivity in the amygdala, which controls the fight-or-flight response.

— katherine reynolds lewis, The Cut, "Can Scientists Tell Me If I’m a Good Mom?," 17 Apr. 2018
Teens process information with the amygdala, and this is the emotional part.

— Fox News, "Rove, Gingrich, Baier and Hume pay tribute to Barbara Bush," 19 Apr. 2018
Those who’d slept and dreamed reported a marked decrease in their emotional response to the images, with a concurrent reduction in reactivity in the amygdala, the emotional center of the brain.

— linda rodriguez mcrobbie, BostonGlobe.com, "How our dreams made us human," 23 Mar. 2018
In line with research from previous animal studies, the researchers found an association between prenatal exposure to SSRIs and increases in the volume of several areas of the brain, including the amygdala and the insular cortex.

— julia belluz, Vox, "We’re beginning to learn how moms’ antidepressants can affect fetuses," 9 Apr. 2018
The brain regions involved, called the amygdala and insular cortex, are generally the hub of the strongest feelings, including fear and motivation, and integrally involved in mood.

— alice park, Time, "Taking Antidepressants During Pregnancy May Lead to Fetal Brain Changes," 9 Apr. 2018
One report found reduced functional connectivity between the right amygdala and a brain region that plays a role in modulating emotions.

— bruce lieberman, Washington Post, "Mindfulness meditation is huge, but science isn’t sure how, or whether, it works," 24 Mar. 2018
The PET scan showed the treatment group had decreased accumulation of tau and amyloid proteins in the amygdala and hypothalamus when compared to the placebo group.

— sheah rarback, miamiherald, "Turmeric ingredient could help boost your memory | Miami Herald," 19 Feb. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'amygdala.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of amygdala

New Latin, from Latin, almond, from Greek amygdalē

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1845

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

Other Anatomy Terms

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Medical Dictionary

amygdala

noun amyg·da·la \ ə-ˈmig-də-lə \

medical Definition of amygdala

plural amygdalae play \-ˌlē, -ˌlī\

: the one of the four basal ganglia in each cerebral hemisphere that is part of the limbic system and consists of an almond-shaped mass of gray matter in the roof of the lateral ventricle — called also amygdaloid body, amygdaloid nucleus