Amygdala

Corpus amygdaloideum

NervousOrgansHeadLeft and right

View left in 3D View right in 3D

What it is
An almond-shaped cluster of nuclei in the front of the medial temporal lobe (the uncus), just in front of the hippocampal head and the tip of the temporal horn.
Function
Detects threat and emotional significance, triggers fear responses and tags memories with emotion.
Size
About 1.5-2 cm across; roughly 1.2-1.7 cm3
Clinical note
Rare bilateral amygdala damage (Urbach-Wiethe disease) leaves people unable to feel or recognise fear.

Nearby nervous structures Abducens nerve (CN VI), Globus pallidus, Oculomotor nerve (CN III), Olfactory tract root (CN I), Optic chiasm, Optic nerve (CN II), intracranial part, Optic tract, Putamen, Trigeminal ganglion, Trochlear nerve (CN IV)