Hippocampus
Hippocampus
Hippocampus (/hɪˈpɒkəmpəs/; from the Greek hippos meaning "horse" and kampos meaning "sea monster") is a major component of the brain in humans and other vertebrates. It belongs to the limbic system and plays important roles in the consolidation of information from short-term memory to long-term memory, and in spatial memory that enables navigation.
Etymology
The term "hippocampus" is derived from the Greek words hippos (ἵππος), meaning "horse," and kampos (κάμπος), meaning "sea monster," as the structure's shape in cross-section resembles that of a sea-horse.
Anatomy
The hippocampus is located in the medial temporal lobe of the brain, underneath the cortical surface. It contains two main interlocking parts: the hippocampus proper (also called Ammon's horn) and the dentate gyrus.
Function
The hippocampus is involved in memory forming, organizing, and storing. It's a part of the limbic system, and is involved in many brain functions related to behavior, memory, and emotions.
Related Terms
- Ammon's horn: The part of the hippocampus that is shaped like a curved tube, and is divided into three sectors, CA1, CA2, and CA3.
- Dentate gyrus: A part of the hippocampus that plays a role in the formation of new episodic memories, the spontaneous exploration of novel environments, and other functions.
- Medial temporal lobe: The region of the brain where the hippocampus is located. It plays a key role in memory processing.
- Limbic system: A set of brain structures, including the hippocampus, that supports a variety of functions including emotion, behavior, motivation, long-term memory, and olfaction.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Hippocampus
- Wikipedia's article - Hippocampus
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