amygdala

n. Either of a pair of almond shaped neural centers located on the inside of each temporal lobe beside the hypothalamus and hippocampus and closely connected to the olfactory cortex, cingulate gyrus, and septum. The amygdalae are involved with the sense of smell, appetite, memory, physiological arousal, and negative emotions, particularly anger and fear. Several persons who have engaged in explosive violence have been found to have tumors or damage to one or both of the amygdalae. Electrical stimulation of the amygdala usually produces intense fear or panic.