Scientists Say: Amygdala
This part of the brain helps us process emotions and form memories
This is a slice of brain seen through a scan that looked through a person’s face and into their head. The right amygdala is highlighted in red.
Amber Rieder, Jenna Traynor, Geoffrey B Hall/Wikimedia Commons (CC0 1.0)
Amygdala (noun, “ah-MIG-dah-la”, plural “amygdalae”)
This part of the brain plays a role in memory, decision making and emotions, such as fear. Each person has an amygdala on either side of their head. They are located near the center of the brain a little above the ears. The amygdala gets its name from the Greek word “amygdalo.” It means “almond.” Each amygdala is shaped a little like the tasty nut.
In a sentence
Kids with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may have smaller amygdalae than people without ADHD.
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