Hippocampus Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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hippocampus
[ˌhɪpəˈkæmpəs ]
Definition
anatomy brain
The hippocampus is a small, curved formation in the brain that plays a crucial role in the processing of memory and spatial navigation. It is located in the medial temporal lobe and is part of the limbic system. Damage to the hippocampus can result in severe memory impairment, particularly in forming new memories.
Synonyms
limbic structure, memory center.
Examples of usage
- The hippocampus helps convert short-term memories into long-term memories.
- Researchers are studying how the hippocampus influences learning and memory.
- Damage to the hippocampus can lead to amnesia.
Translations
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Interesting Facts
Science
- The hippocampus is crucial for forming new personal memories and is involved in navigation.
- Researchers found that in humans, the right hippocampus is linked to spatial memory while the left side is more related to verbal memory.
- Damage to the hippocampus can lead to difficulties in forming new memories, as seen in conditions like Alzheimer's disease.
Psychology
- Studies suggest that the hippocampus is involved in processing emotions, linking feelings to memories.
- Neuroscientific research has shown that exercise can enhance the size and function of the hippocampus, improving memory and learning.
- Mindfulness and meditation practices have also been shown to increase the volume of the hippocampus.
Pop Culture
- In the TV series 'Westworld', the concept of memory and its alteration is central to the storyline, paralleling the functions of the hippocampus.
- The film 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind' explores themes of memory erasure, indirectly referencing how vital the hippocampus is to our identities.
Literature
- In literary terms, memories often play a critical role in character development, with the hippocampus’s role in recollection serving as a metaphor for human experience.
- Writers like Marcel Proust delve into the intricacies of memory, echoing the hippocampus's essential functions in perceiving and narrating past events.
Origin of 'hippocampus'
Main points about word origin
- The term comes from the Greek words 'hippos' meaning horse and 'kampos' meaning sea monster, because of its shape resembling a seahorse.
- Ancient Greeks linked the word to mythological creatures, highlighting the connection between complex ideas and their visual forms.
The term 'hippocampus' derives from the ancient Greek word 'hippokampos', which translates to 'horse' (hippos) and 'sea monster' (kampos), named for its shape that resembles a seahorse. The term was first used in the 16th century by anatomists, but the study of its function in memory and navigation began in earnest in the 20th century. This structure was identified as crucial for memory formation by neuroscientists, particularly in studies involving patients with memory losses. The research surrounding the hippocampus has evolved over the years, highlighting its importance in both human cognition and the broader field of neuroscience.