What does amygdalae mean?
Amygdalae is the plural of amygdala, denoting the pair of small, almond-shaped clusters of nuclei located deep within the temporal lobes of the brain. These structures are best known as the seat of emotional processing: they evaluate threats, trigger fear responses, attach emotional significance to memories, and influence learning and social behavior. The name derives from the Greek word for 'almond,' reflecting their distinctive shape. Because humans have one amygdala in each hemisphere, scientific literature frequently refers to them jointly as the amygdalae, especially in neuroimaging studies reporting bilateral activation. The term appears almost entirely in neuroscience, psychology, medicine, and academic writing; general readers more often encounter the singular form. Understanding the amygdalae matters because these structures sit at the crossroads of emotion and cognition, shaping how we react to danger, form lasting memories, and navigate social life.
noun (plural form)Amygdalae is the plural of amygdala, referring to the two almond-shaped clusters of nuclei deep within the temporal lobes of the brain that play a key role in processing emotions, particularly fear, and in forming memories.
- The paired almond-shaped masses of gray matter in the brain's temporal lobes, central to emotional processing — especially fear — and memory formation.
"Functional MRI scans revealed heightened activity in both amygdalae as the participants viewed the frightening images."
"Neuroscientists observed that damage to the amygdalae left patients unable to recognize fearful expressions."
"Meditation studies have shown reduced reactivity in the amygdalae among long-term practitioners."
Amygdalae is itself the standard plural of amygdala, following the Latin pluralization of the borrowed Greek/Latin noun. The singular amygdala is more commonly used in general prose.
"The study measured activity across both amygdalae during the emotional recall task."
The word 'amygdala' comes from the Greek for 'almond' — scientists named this tiny fear center of your brain after a snack.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of amygdalae
The word traces back to the Greek 'amygdale' (ἀμυγδάλη), meaning 'almond,' which Latin adopted as 'amygdala.' Anatomists applied the term to the brain structure because of its almond-like shape, with English usage established by the nineteenth century as neuroanatomy developed. The same Greek root gives us 'amygdalin,' the compound found in bitter almonds, and underlies words relating to the tonsils, which were likewise named for their shape.
How amygdalae is actually used
Amygdalae is used almost exclusively in scientific, medical, and academic contexts. In everyday writing, the singular 'amygdala' is far more common even when discussing both structures collectively.
Easily confused with amygdalae
Amygdala is the singular form referring to one almond-shaped brain structure, while amygdalae refers to both of them together.
Amigdalas is the Spanish/Portuguese term for tonsils, whereas amygdalae is the English plural for the brain's almond-shaped emotion-processing structures.