hippocampus
noun
hip·po·cam·pus
ˌhi-pə-ˈkam-pəs 
plural hippocampi
ˌhi-pə-ˈkam-ˌpī
-(ˌ)pē
-(ˌ)pē
: a curved elongated ridge that extends over the floor of the descending horn of each lateral ventricle of the brain, that consists of gray matter covered on the ventricular surface with white matter, and that is involved in forming, storing, and processing memory
Examples of hippocampus in a Sentence
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Analyzing the participants’ recordings along with their responses, the authors revealed that the puzzles that participants solved with moments of sudden insight were associated with surges of activity in the hippocampus — a small structure in the brain that’s responsible for learning and memory.
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Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 16 May 2025
The more powerful the insight when problem solving, the greater the boost of activity in the hippocampus.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 15 May 2025
Likewise, research has found that estrogen facilitates higher cognitive functions by affecting brain regions such as the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus.
—Dara Riordan, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
The pain signals from your fall activate parts of your brain called the hippocampus and anterior cingulate cortex that process memory and emotions.
—Yenisel Cruz-Almeida, The Conversation, 27 Jan. 2025
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Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 16 May 2025
The more powerful the insight when problem solving, the greater the boost of activity in the hippocampus.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 15 May 2025
Likewise, research has found that estrogen facilitates higher cognitive functions by affecting brain regions such as the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus.
—Dara Riordan, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
The pain signals from your fall activate parts of your brain called the hippocampus and anterior cingulate cortex that process memory and emotions.
—Yenisel Cruz-Almeida, The Conversation, 27 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hippocampus
Cite this Entry
“Hippocampus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hippocampus. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
hippocampus
noun
hip·po·cam·pus
ˌhip-ə-ˈkam-pəs
: a curved elongated ridge that is an important part of the limbic system, extends over the floor of the descending horn of each lateral ventricle of the brain, consists of gray matter covered on the ventricular surface with white matter, and is involved in forming, storing, and processing memory see pes hippocampi
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