amygdala

noun amyg·da·la \ ə-ˈmig-də-lə \

|Updated on: 2 Aug 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

Studies of the brains of children raised in Romanian orphanages with ten-to-one infant-adult ratios found abnormalities in the prefrontal cortex and amygdala.

— katherine reynolds lewis, The Cut, "Can Scientists Tell Me If I’m a Good Mom?," 17 Apr. 2018
The amygdala, a part of the brain in charge of emotional responses, becomes more active and can overrule the prefrontal cortex, which is in charge of nuanced cognitive functions such as complex decision-making.

— william wan and amy ellis nutt, Washington Post, "Why didn't the officer rush into Florida's Parkland school mass shooting?," 23 Feb. 2018
Connections with the prefrontal cortex, which are essential for quieting the amygdala, also undergo altered development following parental deprivation.

— dylan gee, Vox, "I study kids who were separated from their parents. The trauma could change their brains forever.," 20 June 2018
And without it, the parts of the brain that deal with attachment and fear - the amygdala and hippocampus - develop differently.

— william wan, BostonGlobe.com, "What separation from parents does to children: ‘The effect is catastrophic’," 19 June 2018
Inside the amygdala, a single negative event makes roughly the same impression as five positive events.

— jeff stibel, USA TODAY, "How I kicked my news addiction," 10 Apr. 2018
These results show the amygdala is central to determining the valence of tastes.

— simon makin, Scientific American, "A Matter of Taste: Can a Sweet Tooth Be Switched Off in the Brain?," 30 May 2018
The amygdala is essential for recognizing other people’s fear.

— lynn johnson, National Geographic, "How Fear Makes You Do Good Or Evil," 3 Jan. 2018
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

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

bilateral symmetry, carotid, cartilage, dorsal, entrails, prehensile, renal, solar plexus, supine, thoracic, ventral

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