hippocampus

noun

hip·​po·​cam·​pus ˌhi-pə-ˈkam-pəs 

plural hippocampi ˌhi-pə-ˈkam-ˌpī  -(ˌ)pē 

: a curved elongated ridge that extends over the floor of the descending horn of each lateral ventricle of the brain, that consists of gray matter covered on the ventricular surface with white matter, and that is involved in forming, storing, and processing memory

hippocampal

ˌhi-pə-ˈkam-pəl 

adjective

Examples of hippocampus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

One of these might, say, represent all the molecular-scale ions, ion channels, and so forth that produce currents in our neurons; another represents the firing patterns of the neurons themselves; another, the activity seen in compartments of the brain such as the hippocampus and frontal cortex. —Philip Ball, WIRED, 21 July 2024

Trauma also changes the brain: the prefrontal cortex malfunctions, impairing decision-making; the hippocampus shrinks, impairing memory and learning; and neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin change, causing mood changes, depression and addiction. —Lipi Roy, Md, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2024

The research showed that exercise produces a rapid increase in the number of neurons in the hippocampus. —Kevin Kruse, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024

Share [Findings] Scientists trained subjects to exercise control over a single neuron, linked the hippocampus to regret, and concluded that humans smell in stereo. —Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harper's Magazine, 23 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek hippokampos seahorse, from hippos horse + kampos sea monster — more at equine

First Known Use

1695, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

hippocampus

noun

hip·​po·​cam·​pus ˌhip-ə-ˈkam-pəs 

plural hippocampi -ˌpī  -(ˌ)pē 

: a curved elongated ridge that is an important part of the limbic system, extends over the floor of the descending horn of each lateral ventricle of the brain, consists of gray matter covered on the ventricular surface with white matter, and is involved in forming, storing, and processing memory see pes hippocampi