amygdala

[ uh-mig-duh-luh ]
/ əˈmɪg də lə /

noun, plural a·myg·da·lae [uh-mig-duh-lee] /əˈmɪg dəˌli/. Anatomy.

an almond-shaped part, as a tonsil.
a ganglion of the limbic system adjoining the temporal lobe of the brain and involved in emotions of fear and aggression.

Origin of amygdala

before 950; < Medieval Latin: almond, tonsil, Latin: almond < Greek amygdálē; replacing Middle English amygdal, Old English amigdal almond < Latin amygdalon < Greek amýgdalon; cf. almond

Example sentences from the Web for amygdala

British Dictionary definitions for amygdala

amygdala
/ (əˈmɪɡdələ) /

noun plural -lae (-ˌliː)

anatomy an almond-shaped part, such as a tonsil or a lobe of the cerebellum

Word Origin for amygdala

C16: from Medieval Latin: almond

Medical definitions for amygdala

amygdala
[ ə-mĭgdə-lə ]

n. pl. a•myg•da•lae (-lē)

One of two small, almond-shaped masses of gray matter that are part of the limbic system and are located in the temporal lobes of the cerebral hemispheres. amygdaloid nucleus
The cerebellar tonsil.
Any of the lymphatic tonsils.

Scientific definitions for amygdala

amygdala
[ ə-mĭgdə-lə ]

Plural amygdalae (ə-mĭgdə-lē)

An almond-shaped mass of gray matter in the front part of the temporal lobe of the cerebrum that is part of the limbic system and is involved in the processing and expression of emotions, especially anger and fear.