Hippocampus

Hippocampus: a key element of the brain responsible for memory and navigation

The hippocampus is a key element of the brain located in the recumbent part of the brain. It gets its name from its shape, which resembles the mythical monster with the body of a horse and the tail of a fish, called the hippocampus in ancient Greek mythology. The hippocampus plays an important role in human memory and navigation.

The hippocampus was discovered in 1584 by the Italian anatomist Julius Caesar Arcellaus. It was then studied and described by the German anatomist Friedrich Thiel in 1873. Since then, the hippocampus has been the subject of much research and study and has been found to play an important role in forming new memories and tying them to a specific context.

The hippocampus consists of two parts located on either side of the brain and is shaped like a curved strip. It is connected to other brain structures such as the cerebral cortex, hypothalamus and thalamus, which also play an important role in memory and navigation.

Although the hippocampus occupies a smaller part of the brain, it plays a key role in forming new memories and linking them to a specific context. It is also involved in navigation, helping a person navigate space and find the way to the right place.

Scientists have also discovered a connection between the hippocampus and certain diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease. In this disease, the hippocampus gradually decreases in size, which leads to impaired memory and cognitive functions.

Research into the hippocampus continues, and scientists hope it will allow them to better understand how the brain works and develop new treatments for neurological diseases.

**Hippocampus** is a small hippocamide known through medical and scientific research on its structure. It is part of the marine mammal family of Lazaridae species. In 2023, the 250th anniversary of the discovery by scientist Edward Holland, living in England, was celebrated. Holland was the first to discover a new deep-sea mammal. Previously, it was classified as a member of the cabbage family.