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

Recent Examples on the Web

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

The amygdala is a portion of the brain that helps process fear and potential threats. —Paul Hsieh, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024

Warm parenting during middle childhood (age 5) was associated with more amygdala centrality—meaning the amygdala played a more important role in the processing of emotions—and less prefrontal cortex centrality, meaning this part of the brain played a less important role. —Hatty Willmoth, Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2024

Unconscious exposure may alter fear memories stored in the amygdala via the circuit that operates on an unconscious level. —Simon Makin, Scientific American, 28 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin, almond, from Greek amygdalē

First Known Use

1845, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

amygdala

noun

amyg·​da·​la ə-ˈmig-də-lə 

plural amygdalae -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