What is the hippocampus? Medically reviewed by Daniel Murrell, M.D. The hippocampus is a part of the brain. It is found in the inner folds of the bottom middle section of the brain, known as the temporal lobe. Humans have known about the hippocampus for more than 4 centuries. It is one of the most studied parts of the brain. The name comes from the Greek words hippo, meaning horse, and kampo, meaning monster, as its shape resembles that of a sseahorse. Its main functions involve human learning and memory. Knowing about the hippocampus has helped researchers understand how memory works. Function The hippocampus is important for learning and memory. The hippocampus is part of the limbic system, which is associated with the functions of feeling and reacting. The limbic system is situated on the edge of the cortex, and it includes the hypothalamus and the amygdala. These str...