3.52 Hippocampus Definition & Function

The hippocampus is a special structure found deep within the brain. It has a very important job involving memories. What does the hippocampus do? Read more to find out.

How’s Your Memory?

Do you remember what you were doing five minutes ago? Easy, right? How about this one: What did you have for breakfast last week? Now see if you can answer this question: Do you have memories from several years ago, like a special event or an important day? The answer is most likely, yes!

How much can you remember?
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It is possible to recall memories both old and new because of a special structure tucked deep into your brain. This structure is called the hippocampus, and it has a very important job when it comes to your memories. What, exactly does the hippocampus do, and why does it sound like an animal? Join us as we take a closer look.

1. Main points:

The hippocampus, a structure in the brain, plays a crucial role in our ability to recall both recent and old memories.

2. Questions:

• Content Analysis: What is the role of the hippocampus in memory recall?
• Contextual Analysis: How does the text engage the reader’s curiosity about the hippocampus and its function?
• Linguistic Analysis: What language techniques does the text use to make the concept of the hippocampus and memory interesting for kids?

3. Further Discussion:

• If you could choose, what memory would you always want to remember and why?

4. Answers:

• Content Analysis: "It is possible to recall memories both old and new because of a special structure tucked deep into your brain. This structure is called the hippocampus."
• Contextual Analysis: The text prompts the reader to think about their own memories and then introduces the hippocampus as the reason behind our ability to remember.
• Linguistic Analysis: The text uses questions about personal memories to engage the reader, and then introduces the hippocampus in a way that sparks curiosity, asking, "What, exactly does the hippocampus do, and why does it sound like an animal?"

An Organ to Remember

Although it sounds like a place for hippos to attend college, the hippocampus is actually a small organ located deep in the folds of the brain. Its name comes from the Greek word hippokampus, which literally means ”seahorse.” Why is it named this way? Because its shape strongly resembles, you guessed it: a seahorse.

The hippocampus isn’t exactly a part of the gray, wrinkled, folded brain itself. Instead, it belongs to a region called the limbic system. The limbic system is a grouping of structures tucked deep down within the brain folds. This system is in charge of many very important jobs, including controlling emotion and memory. The job of the hippocampus makes it possible for us to hold tight to important memories from the past.

Location of the hippocampus deep within the brain
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More specifically, the hippocampus takes our short-term memories and files them away permanently in long-term storage. This way, you can remember more than what you just did today. Does this remind you of anything? Most likely you are thinking of a computer. When you keyboard words, the computer stores that information temporarily. However, by hitting ”Save” and storing them in a file, you can keep those words forever. The hippocampus is like the ”Save” button on the computer, tucking away your memory files.

The hippocampus is like a computer, storing long-term memories.
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1. Main points:

The hippocampus, named for its seahorse-like shape, is a crucial part of the limbic system in the brain, responsible for converting short-term memories into long-term ones, much like a computer’s save function.

2. Questions:

• Content Analysis: What is the specific function of the hippocampus in memory processing?
• Contextual Analysis: How does the text use the hippocampus’ shape and a computer analogy to explain its function?
• Linguistic Analysis: What language techniques does the text use to make the concept of the hippocampus engaging and understandable for kids?

3. Further Discussion:

• Can you think of a time when your hippocampus helped you remember something important?

4. Answers:

• Content Analysis: "The hippocampus takes our short-term memories and files them away permanently in long-term storage."
• Contextual Analysis: The text explains the hippocampus’ function by comparing it to a computer’s save button and relates its name to its seahorse-like shape.
• Linguistic Analysis: The text uses analogies (comparing the hippocampus to a computer) and playful language (likening its name to a place for hippos) to make the information relatable and memorable for kids.

Memories with Emotions Attached

Often, we have memories that make us feel a strong emotion. For example, you might catch a whiff of a certain smell and suddenly be transported to the memory attached to it. Perhaps you went on an amazing vacation to the beach. Now, every time you smell the ocean breeze, you think of that trip. Why are these types of memories so vivid?

This is the work of the hippocampus, along with another organ in the limbic system, called the amygdala (pronounced uh-mig-duh-luh). The amygdala is in charge of emotions and often ties a feeling to a memory before the hippocampus stores it away. When we experience that particular sensation again, the memory is more likely to be vividly recalled because of the intense emotional connection.

When a memory is associated with a strong feeling such as fear or stress, it is even more likely that you will remember it over the long term. For example, imagine being bitten by a dog as a child. Scary, right? At that moment, you most likely felt fear and stress. Because the hippocampus stored both the memory and feeling of fear, the memory of the dog bite can make you feel that fear again – even as an adult.

1. Main points:

Memories with strong emotional attachments, often processed by the hippocampus and amygdala, are more vivid and long-lasting, such as the association of a smell with a past experience or the lasting impact of a fearful event.

2. Questions:

• Content Analysis: How do the hippocampus and amygdala work together to create emotionally charged memories?
• Contextual Analysis: Why does the text use examples like smelling the ocean breeze or a dog bite to explain memory and emotion?
• Linguistic Analysis: What language techniques does the text use to help kids understand the connection between emotions and memories?

3. Further Discussion:

• Can you think of a happy memory that is strongly linked to a particular smell, sound, or place?

4. Answers:

• Content Analysis: "The amygdala is in charge of emotions and often ties a feeling to a memory before the hippocampus stores it away."
• Contextual Analysis: The text uses relatable examples like the smell of the ocean and a dog bite to illustrate how emotions strengthen our memories.
• Linguistic Analysis: The text employs vivid examples and simple explanations to make the complex relationship between emotions and memories accessible to kids.

Lesson Summary

The hippocampus is a small organ within the limbic system tucked deep into the brain folds. Its job is to place memories into long-term storage. If the memories have strong emotions attached to them, they are even more likely to be recalled.