limbic
Deep brain region
Limbic refers to the limbic system, a group of brain structures involved in emotion, memory, and motivation.
The term appears almost exclusively in scientific or medical contexts: limbic regions, limbic response.
When someone speaks of a "limbic reaction," they mean an emotional or instinctive response rather than a rational one.
Emotion-processing brain cluster
- hippocampusMemory formation region
- hypothalamusSubthalamic regulatory brain region
- thalamusBrain's signal switchboard
- fornixArched anatomical structure
septum · mammillary · basal ganglia · prefrontal · cortex · brainstem · cerebral · neocortex
Emotional response to threat
- angerIntense hostile emotion
- rageIntense, violent anger
- pleasureHappy, satisfied feeling
- anxietyPersistent apprehensive distress
affection · bonding · attachment · aggression · arousal · mood · motivation · reward
Remaining alive against odds
- fight-or-flightAcute threat reaction
- hungerNeed for nourishment
- thirstNeed for fluid
- matingReproductive pairing behavior
territorial · maternal · self-preservation · feeding · reproduction · alarm · startle · defensive
Occurring in distinct segments
- emotional memoryRecollection shaped by feelings
- consolidationCombining into unified whole
- encodingConverting data to format
- retrievalAct of getting back
flashback · traumatic · autobiographical · spatial · contextual · long-term · imprinting · recognition
Olfactory perception
- scentAirborne odor detected
- pheromoneBehavior-altering bodily secretion
- olfactoryOf the sense detecting odors
- aromaPleasant distinctive smell
odor · chemosensory · nasal · fragrance · scent memory · nose · odorant · musk
Synaptic chemical messenger
- dopamineReward-linked neural messenger
- serotoninMood-regulating brain chemical
- norepinephrineAlertness and stress hormone
- synapseNerve signal crossing point
neuron · receptor · neuroplasticity · neuroimaging · fMRI · lesion · stimulation · pathway
amygdala
Emotion-processing brain cluster
- hippocampusMemory formation region
- hypothalamusSubthalamic regulatory brain region
- thalamusBrain's signal switchboard
fornix · septum · mammillary · basal ganglia · prefrontal · cortex · brainstem · cerebral · neocortex · encephalon
fear
Emotional response to threat
anxiety · affection · bonding · attachment · aggression · arousal · mood · motivation · reward · aversion
survival
Remaining alive against odds
- fight-or-flightAcute threat reaction
- hungerNeed for nourishment
- thirstNeed for fluid
mating · territorial · maternal · self-preservation · feeding · reproduction · alarm · startle · defensive · predatory
episodic
Occurring in distinct segments
- emotional memoryRecollection shaped by feelings
- consolidationCombining into unified whole
- encodingConverting data to format
retrieval · flashback · traumatic · autobiographical · spatial · contextual · long-term · imprinting · recognition · associative
smell
Olfactory perception
- scentAirborne odor detected
- pheromoneBehavior-altering bodily secretion
- olfactoryOf the sense detecting odors
aroma · odor · chemosensory · nasal · fragrance · scent memory · nose · odorant · musk
neurotransmitter
Synaptic chemical messenger
- dopamineReward-linked neural messenger
- serotoninMood-regulating brain chemical
- norepinephrineAlertness and stress hormone
synapse · neuron · receptor · neuroplasticity · neuroimaging · fMRI · lesion · stimulation · pathway · circuitry
limbicneocortical
Of the brain's outer layer
neocortex · cortical · prefrontal · prefrontal cortex · rational
- in limboState of uncertainty
- limbo stick
- career limbo
- limbo danceBackward bend under pole
- legal limboUndetermined official standing
- limbic systemEmotional brain structures