tegmental
adjective
teg·men·tal
teg-ˈmen-tᵊl 
: of, relating to, or associated with an integument or a tegmentum
Examples of tegmental in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In both early and long-term relationships, dopamine release in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and nucleus accumbens stimulates pleasure, motivation and focused attention toward a romantic partner.
—
Ximena Araya-Fischel, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
Read More: What is Anxiety and How Can Worries Overpower Us?
Follow the Dopamine
Looking to the ventral tegmental area (VTA), a region of the brain associated with surprises, learning, and reward, the team’s first step was to confirm that a dopamine circuit connects the VTA and the amygdala.
—Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 29 Apr. 2025
The ventral tegmental area (VTA) in the midbrain is the primary region responsible for producing dopamine.
—Jennifer Borresen, USA TODAY, 14 Feb. 2025
Curiosity activates brain regions, such as the ventral tegmental area, that are associated with reward and enhance learning.
—Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes, 1 Oct. 2024
To aim us toward such goals, the hypothalamus organizes its neural circuits to work with the ventral tegmental area, a part of the brain involved with reward processes.
—Popular Science, 26 Oct. 2023
Visions of us holding hands while lying side by side in a field of dandelions have released dopamine from the ventral tegmental area of my brain.
—Meghana Indurti, The New Yorker, 1 Aug. 2023
That first spark of attraction ignites a region buried deep inside the brain called the ventral tegmental area, or VTA.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 14 Feb. 2020
Earlier studies had shown that specific nerve pathways leading to a structure known as the ventral tegmental area (VTA) were important for the aversive nature of the foot shock.
—Robert Martone, Scientific American, 27 Aug. 2019
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Ximena Araya-Fischel, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
Read More: What is Anxiety and How Can Worries Overpower Us?
Follow the Dopamine
Looking to the ventral tegmental area (VTA), a region of the brain associated with surprises, learning, and reward, the team’s first step was to confirm that a dopamine circuit connects the VTA and the amygdala.
—Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 29 Apr. 2025
The ventral tegmental area (VTA) in the midbrain is the primary region responsible for producing dopamine.
—Jennifer Borresen, USA TODAY, 14 Feb. 2025
Curiosity activates brain regions, such as the ventral tegmental area, that are associated with reward and enhance learning.
—Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes, 1 Oct. 2024
To aim us toward such goals, the hypothalamus organizes its neural circuits to work with the ventral tegmental area, a part of the brain involved with reward processes.
—Popular Science, 26 Oct. 2023
Visions of us holding hands while lying side by side in a field of dandelions have released dopamine from the ventral tegmental area of my brain.
—Meghana Indurti, The New Yorker, 1 Aug. 2023
That first spark of attraction ignites a region buried deep inside the brain called the ventral tegmental area, or VTA.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 14 Feb. 2020
Earlier studies had shown that specific nerve pathways leading to a structure known as the ventral tegmental area (VTA) were important for the aversive nature of the foot shock.
—Robert Martone, Scientific American, 27 Aug. 2019
Cite this Entry
“Tegmental.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tegmental. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
tegmental
adjective
teg·men·tal
teg-ˈment-ᵊl
: of, relating to, or associated with a tegmentum especially of the brain
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share