amygdala
noun
Meaning
An almond-shaped cluster of nuclei located deep within the temporal lobes of the brain, primarily responsible for processing emotions, especially fear and threat detection.
Examples
- Neuroscientists believe the amygdala plays a crucial role in how we form memories associated with strong emotional experiences.
- Damage to the amygdala can significantly impair a person's ability to recognize expressions of fear in others.
Synonyms: brain center, emotional center, limbic structure, nuclei cluster