The amygdala
Amygdala · corpus amygdaloideum
An almond-shaped cluster deep in the brain that reacts to threats and stamps emotions onto memories.
What it does
The amygdala sits in front of the hippocampus, deep in each temporal lobe. It quickly judges whether something is threatening or important and triggers fear, alertness and stress responses. It also helps strong emotions make memories more vivid.
Surprising fact
Its name comes from the Greek for "almond", and it can react to a frightening image before you are consciously aware of having seen it.
Why it matters
That is why emotional moments, good or bad, tend to be remembered more clearly than ordinary ones, and why an overactive amygdala is linked to anxiety.
Nearby
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Sources
Drafted with AI help; awaiting a human fact-check against these sources.
Open in the 3D atlas · Suggest a correction · Not medical advice.
3D models: Z-Anatomy & BodyParts3D (CC BY-SA 4.0 / 2.1 JP). Card text CC BY 4.0.