Glossary
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Definition
Amygdala
Control centre for the emotions, half of which is located in the right hemisphere and half in the left.
The amygdala is located equally between the right and left cerebral hemispheres and controls the emotions. If destroyed, feelings of violence and fear disappear as well as all emotional reactions. When it is stimulated, behaviour becomes excessive, subject to extreme violence or affection.
More information
The amygdala is part of what is called the limbic system, which includes the hippocampus and other cerebral structures. This system controls behaviour, from the sexual response to aggression and defensive behaviour. A person's behaviour is his or her capacity to react to a situation, calling upon experience, memory, and emotiveness. Emotiveness has effects on the whole body: a noise in the night that sets hair on end, blushing in embarrassing situations, racing heart when afraid, etc. The amygdala is closely tied to the rest of the brain, especially the hypothalamus, allowing the body to react quickly to a given emotion.
