amygdala
noun
amyg·da·la
ə-ˈmig-də-lə 
plural amygdalae
ə-ˈmig-də-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
Examples of amygdala in a Sentence
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Inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines bidirectionally modulate amygdala circuits regulating anxiety
Cell.
—
Jenny Lehmann, Discover Magazine, 9 Apr. 2025
Neuroimaging studies reveal that labeling emotions through writing activates the prefrontal cortex while dampening amygdala activity, effectively reducing emotional reactivity.
—Drew Ramsey, Contributor, CNBC, 25 Mar. 2025
Regularly noticing them could strengthen the brain’s ability to regulate emotions, calming the amygdala and reinforcing feelings of ease.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
Do people with a larger amygdala gravitate toward more conservative ideologies because their amygdala is already structured in a way that is more receptive to the negative emotions that conservatism elicits?
—Matt Richtel, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025
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Jenny Lehmann, Discover Magazine, 9 Apr. 2025
Neuroimaging studies reveal that labeling emotions through writing activates the prefrontal cortex while dampening amygdala activity, effectively reducing emotional reactivity.
—Drew Ramsey, Contributor, CNBC, 25 Mar. 2025
Regularly noticing them could strengthen the brain’s ability to regulate emotions, calming the amygdala and reinforcing feelings of ease.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
Do people with a larger amygdala gravitate toward more conservative ideologies because their amygdala is already structured in a way that is more receptive to the negative emotions that conservatism elicits?
—Matt Richtel, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for amygdala
Cite this Entry
“Amygdala.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/amygdala. Accessed 5 May. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
amygdala
noun
amyg·da·la
ə-ˈmig-də-lə
: 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
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