amygdala

noun

amyg·​da·​la ə-ˈmig-də-lə How to pronounce amygdala (audio)
plural amygdalae ə-ˈmig-də-ˌlē How to pronounce amygdala (audio)
-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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Or does holding a more conservative viewpoint over time reinforce certain neural pathways that subsequently lead to enlargement of the amygdala? Paul Hsieh, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024 Because the faces depict emotions, the amygdala is activated—and asking people to remember these emotions stimulates the prefrontal cortex at the same time. Alice Park, TIME, 24 Oct. 2024 This tiny mass of tissue interprets all the sensory info coming from your nose and is directly connected to the amygdala, which processes emotions, and the hippocampus, which forms and retrieves memories, Dr. Parma explains. Lauren Mazzo, SELF, 8 Oct. 2024 The mice developed a much greater, longer-lasting fear of the tone that correlated with enhanced marker levels throughout their amygdala. William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for amygdala 

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin, almond, from Greek amygdalē

First Known Use

1845, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of amygdala was in 1845

Dictionary Entries Near amygdala

Cite this Entry

“Amygdala.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/amygdala. Accessed 8 Dec. 2024.

Medical Definition

amygdala

noun
amyg·​da·​la ə-ˈmig-də-lə How to pronounce amygdala (audio)
plural amygdalae -ˌlē How to pronounce amygdala (audio) -ˌlī How to pronounce amygdala (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on amygdala

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