The hippocampus is a part of the brain located in the temporal lobe that plays an important role in forming, organizing, and storing memories, especially explicit memories, as well as spatial navigation. It derives its name from its resemblance to a seahorse. All mammals have two hippocampi, one in each hemisphere of the brain. Together with the hypothalamus and amygdala, the hippocampus is part of the limbic system responsible for emotional life. Damage to the hippocampus can result from factors like hypoxia, head injuries, old age, seizures, stress, or encephalitis and can cause amnesia, inability to form new explicit memories, and other symptoms.

1. The Hippocampus
by Adam, Thomas, Daniel and Inchka

2. What is the hippocampus ?
It is a part of the brain that plays
an important role in :
- forming, organizing and storing memory
(turning short-term into long-term memory)
- spatial navigation

3. LTM or long-term memory is divided into two
systems :
- explicit memory, which is fact-based and
conscious
- implicit memory, which is unconscious
The hippocampus is especially important in the
formation of explicit memories.

4. The hippocampus is located
in the temporal lobe

5. More precisely, in the medial temporal lobe …

6. It derives its name from its resemblance with a
seahorse (< Greek ´hippos´ meaning horse
and ´kampos´ meaning sea monster)

7. All mammals, including humans, have two of
them, one in each of the brains´ hemispheres
=> brain symmetry

8. Together with the hypothalamus and the
amygdala, the hippocampus is a part of the
limbic system, which is responsible for the
emotional life.

9. Hippocampal damage : possible causes
- hypoxia (oxygen deprivation)
- a head injury
- old age
- chronic epilectic seizures
- long-term stress
- encephalitis

10. Hippocampal damage : symptoms
- Amnesia (memory loss)
- Inability to form new explicit memories. New implicit
memories can still be formed
- Poor impulse control
- Hyperactivity
- Alzheimer´s disease
- Disorientation