Amygdala is a small and almond-like structure that is located in the temporal lobe of the human brain. The Amygdala function involves processing emotions, personal behaviour, and decision-making. It is a part of our limbic system that helps our brain detect danger automatically as it works as a network system. In this article, we are going to discuss the location, structure, function, and pathways of the amygdala in detail.

What is Amygdala?

The amygdala is an almond-like structure that has a small pointed end. It is a subcortical brain and is made up of 13 major nuclei and grey matter.  The amygdala is a part of our human limbic system that controls the response capacity of our body. It is a part of our brain that is known as the emotional hub of our body. The amygdala helps us to trigger different emotions in favourable and unfavourable situations. The amygdala is related to regulating different endocrine and autonomic functions like decision-making, the adaption of motivation, and instinctive behaviors due to environmental changes.  

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Amygdala Location

The Amygdala is located in the temporal lobe of the human brain. It is specifically present in front of the hippocampus.  Its closeness to the hippocampus facilitates the integration of emotional responses with memory formation, contributing to the brain’s overall processing of emotions and memories.

Also Read: Human Brain Anatomy

Amygdala Function

The major function of the amygdala is to create memory and regulate emotional responses. Here are some important functions of the amygdala as mentioned below. 

• The amygdala determines the different emotions of human beings whether it is happy, sad, depressing, etc. It has the ability to detect danger automatically and prepare the whole body accordingly to face the situation. 
• The amygdala helps us in learning. The organ helps us to learn about the situation whether it is positive or negative. 
• The amygdala expresses fear and aggression with specific defensive behavior. An electric simulation evokes the feeling of fear and anxiety response. 
• It helpis in the interpretation of facial expressions, particularly those conveying emotions.
• It plays a key role in the formation and storage of emotional memories.

Amygdala Pathway

The amygdala pathway is referred to as the neural circulatory process which is related to the amygdala. The pathway plays a major role in processing and regulating the emotions and related responses that are attached to the survival instinct. There are two major pathways of the amygdala as mentioned below. 

Thalamo – Amygdala Pathway

This pathway involves the direct transmission of sensory information from the thalamus to the amygdala. When our brain detects the potential danger, the sight or sound is quickly transmitted to the amygdala. This type of rapid transmission allows so many emotional reactions like fear, anxiety, etc.

Cortico – Amygdala Pathway

The cortico-amygdala pathway involves the indirect transmission of sensory information from the cortical region to the amygdala. This pathway involved so many complex processes of emotion transmission. The emotional processing through this pathway involves the appraisal and interpretation of different emotional stimuli. 

Read More: Human Brain – Structure, Parts, Location, Working

Divisions of the Amygdala

There are three major divisions of the amygdala as mentioned below. 

Basolateral Complex (BLA)

It is the largest division of the amygdala. It processes the sensory information with the emotional stimuli. It generally receives inputs from different sensory sources like sight, sound, or touch. It is also involved in the process of learning and forms emotional memories as well. 

Central Nucleus (CeA)

Central Nucleus (CeA) is the output hub of the amygdala. It plays a major role in expressing emotional responses. It receives the information from the basolateral complex and generates physiological responses. 

Cortical Nucleus (CoA)

The cortical Nucleus (CoA) is the transitional zone of the amygdala that is located between the basolateral complex and the central nucleus. It receives input from the different sensory organs or the higher order cortical regions. 

What Happens When the Amygdala is Damaged?

If somehow the amygdala gets damaged, it will create a disbalance in our life including – 

• The intensity of our emotions will increase drastically.
• Damage to the amygdala can lead to difficulties in processing emotions, especially fear and aggression
• Depression, stress, or anxiety will be the common things.
• Our eating habits will become irregular.
• We will lose our perception such as object recognition which can lead to memory loss as well.
• Individuals may exhibit reduced fear responses to threatening stimuli due to amygdala damage.
• Individuals with amygdala damage may experience changes in decision-making processes, particularly in situations involving emotional cues.

Also Read: Causes of Stress

Amygdala Disorders

Some of the disorders of Amygdala are:

• Anxiety Disorders: Dysfunction in the amygdala can cause various anxiety disorders such as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
• Phobias: Overactivity in the amygdala may lead to the development of specific phobias, causing intense and irrational fears of certain objects or situations.
• Mood Disorders: Imbalances in amygdala functioning have been linked to mood disorders like depression and bipolar disorder, influencing emotional regulation and mood stability.
• Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD): Studies suggest alterations in the amygdala’s structure and function in individuals with ASD, impacting social interactions and emotional processing.
• Impaired Fear Response: Damage or dysfunction in the amygdala can result in an inability to recognize or respond appropriately to fear-inducing stimuli, affecting survival instincts and threat assessment.

Conclusion – Amygdala

The amygdala is a part of our human limbic system that controls the response capacity of our body. It is a part of our brain that is known as the emotional hub of our body. It is a multinuclear part of our brain. The amygdala is located in the temporal lobe of the human brain. It is specifically located in front of the hippocampus. The organ helps us to learn about the situation whether it is positive or negative. The amygdala pathway is referred to as the neural circulatory process which is related to the amygdala. These pathways are Thalamo amygdala Pathway and Cortico amygdala Pathway. If somehow the amygdala gets damaged, it will create a disbalance in our life.

Also Read:

• Difference Between Brain and Mind
• Structure, Functions, and Parts of Neuron
• Difference Between Human Brain and Animal Brain
• Central Nervous System

FAQs – Amygdala

What is the Main Function of the Amygdala?

The amygdala is thought to form the core of a neural system for processing fearful and threatening stimuli, including detection of threat and activation of appropriate fear-related behaviors in response to dangerous stimuli.

What are the Symptoms of Damaged Amygdala?

Symptoms of damaged amygdala include impaired emotional processing, reduced fear response, impaired social interactions, memory deficits, and altered decision-making.

What is Amygdala and Hippocampus?

The amygdala and hippocampus are both parts of the brain involved in memory and emotion regulation, with the amygdala responsible for processing emotions like fear, while the hippocampus is crucial for forming and storing memories.

How do I Calm My Amygdala?

Practicing stress-reduction techniques such as meditation, deep breathing, and exercising. Work through symptoms of PTSD, severe anxiety, or panic with a trained professional.

What is the Amygdala Shaped As?

The amygdala is the part of the brain that’s most closely associated with fear, emotions, and motivation. Its name means “almond” because it is almond-shaped.

What are Amygdaloid Structures?

The subdivision most commonly made is into the basolateral, central, cortical, and medial nuclei together with the intercalated cell clusters. The amygdala has a primary role in the processing of memory, decision-making, and emotional responses.

What is the Amygdala Made Of?

The amygdala comprises a group of nuclei, or clusters of neurons. The basolateral complex, the largest of the clusters and located roughly in the lateral and middle parts of the amygdala, includes the lateral, basal, and accessory-basal nuclei.