What role does the hippocampus play in memory?

The hippocampus is primarily recognized for its crucial role in forming new memories. It is vital for the consolidation of information from short-term memory to long-term memory, enabling the retention of facts, experiences, and skills. The hippocampus is particularly involved in declarative memory, which encompasses the conscious recall of information such as events and factual knowledge.

While other structures in the brain are involved in related processes—regulating emotions generally occurs in the amygdala, processing sensory information takes place in various cortical areas dedicated to specific senses, and coordinating motor functions is managed by the cerebellum and basal ganglia—none of these functions are the central role of the hippocampus. Its specific function in memory formation underscores its importance in everyday learning and the ability to navigate experiences and understand new information.