Table of Contents
The hippocampus is a brain structure associated with memory and is thought to mainly be involved in storing long-term memories and making those memories resistant to fading. (There’s some debate about that.) It also plays an important part in spatial navigation and orientation. The hippocampus is part of the brain most impacted by Alzheimer’s disease.
Location
It is located in the inner region of the temporal lobe and is part of the limbic system.
Hippocampus Explainer Video
Here’s a short video with additional information:
Where’d It Get That Name?
The name for this influential brain part comes from the Greek word for seahorse. They share a similar shape.
In Greek mythology, the hippocamp had a horse’s upper body and a fish’s lower body.
While we’re on the topic of Greek and Horses, these big critters also get their name from the Greek language. Hippopotamus means river horse.
This post has wandered from inner brain structures to large African mammals. Probably time to wrap it up.
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Jeff Johnson is an early learning trainer, podcaster, and author who founded Explorations Early Learning, Playvolution HQ, and Play Haven.
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