hippocampus

[ hip-uh-kam-puh s ]
/ ˌhɪp əˈkæm pəs /

noun, plural hip·po·cam·pi [hip-uh-kam-pahy, -pee] /ˌhɪp əˈkæm paɪ, -pi/.

Classical Mythology. a sea horse with two forefeet, and a body ending in the tail of a dolphin or fish.
Anatomy. an enfolding of cerebral cortex into the lateral fissure of a cerebral hemisphere, having the shape in cross section of a sea horse.

Origin of hippocampus

1600–10; < Latin < Greek hippókampos, equivalent to hippo- hippo- + kámpos sea monster

British Dictionary definitions for hippocampi

hippocampus
/ (ˌhɪpəʊˈkæmpəs) /

noun plural -pi (-paɪ)

a mythological sea creature with the forelegs of a horse and the tail of a fish
any marine teleost fish of the genus Hippocampus, having a horselike head See sea horse
an area of cerebral cortex that forms a ridge in the floor of the lateral ventricle of the brain, which in cross section has the shape of a sea horse. It functions as part of the limbic system

Derived forms of hippocampus

hippocampal, adjective

Word Origin for hippocampus

C16: from Latin, from Greek hippos horse + kampos a sea monster

Medical definitions for hippocampi

hippocampus
[ hĭp′ə-kămpəs ]

n. pl. hip•po•cam•pi (-pī′)

The complex, internally convoluted structure that forms the medial margin of the cortical mantle of the cerebral hemisphere, borders the choroid fissure of the lateral ventricle, is composed of two gyri with their white matter, and forms part of the limbic system.

Other words from hippocampus

hip′po•campal (-pəl) adj.

Scientific definitions for hippocampi

hippocampus
[ hĭp′ə-kămpəs ]

Plural hippocampi (hĭp′ə-kămpī′)

A convoluted, seahorse-shaped structure in the cerebral cortex of the temporal lobe of the brain, composed of two gyri with white matter above gray matter. It forms part of the limbic system and is involved in the processing of emotions and memory.