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

Feeling overwhelmed or fearful of the future triggers the amygdala, the brain's alarm system, which can hijack logical thinking and decision-making. —Sahar Andrade, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024

And the amygdala — the threat detector toward the base of our brains — fires. —Rachel Carlson, NPR, 20 Nov. 2024

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

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