hippocampus

IPA/ˌhɪpəˈkæmpəs/
KK[hˌɪpokˈæmpəs]IPA/ˌhɪpəˈkæmpəs/

hippocampus — noun

  • hippocampussingular
  • hippocampusesplural

1. a curved structure inside the brain that plays an essential role in creating new

1.nounB2
Definition

a curved structure inside the brain that plays an essential role in creating new memories and connecting emotions to experiences

Example

Dr. Nkechi found that damage to the hippocampus makes it hard to form new memories.

damage to [body part] + makes it hard to [verb]

Andrés practiced piano scales daily, and MRI scans showed his hippocampus had grown.

active learning activity + hippocampus growth

Common collocations
  • hippocampus damage
  • hippocampus volume
  • hippocampus function
  • damage to the hippocampus
  • in the hippocampus

Usage Note

The plural form is hippocampi (/ˌhɪp.əˈkæm.paɪ/). In scientific writing, the hippocampus is often referred to in the singular as an uncountable mass noun when describing brain tissue or function (e.g., 'hippocampus volume,' 'hippocampus tissue').

Word family

  • hippocampal
    adjectiveC1
  • hippocampi
    noun (plural)B2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

The hippocampus, amygdala, and hypothalamus are all deep-brain structures in the limbic system, but each has a distinct role. The hippocampus is primarily responsible for forming new declarative memories and linking them to spatial contexts — damage here disrupts the ability to remember facts or events. The amygdala governs emotional reactions, especially fear and pleasure, and attaches emotional weight to memories. The hypothalamus regulates basic survival functions such as hunger, thirst, body temperature, and sleep cycles. For example, a person with hippocampal damage may still feel fear (amygdala intact) but cannot recall what caused it; a person with hypothalamic damage may struggle with appetite regulation while retaining full memory function.

hippocampus ↗amygdala ↗hypothalamus

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • plays a role in
  • damage to the hippocampus
  • in the hippocampus
  • the hippocampus is involved in

Prepositions

Etymology

GreekLatinEnglish

From Latin 'hippocampus,' borrowed from Greek 'hippokampos' (ἱππόκαμπος), a compound of 'hippos' (ἵππος, horse) and 'kampos' (κάμπος, sea monster). The brain structure was named in the 16th century by anatomists who thought its curved shape resembled a seahorse.