Which structure in the limbic system is primarily associated with emotions such as fear and anger?

The amygdala is a critical structure in the limbic system that plays a central role in processing emotions, particularly fear and anger. It is responsible for detecting threats and generating appropriate emotional responses, enabling an organism to react swiftly to potentially dangerous situations. The amygdala interacts with other brain structures to form memories related to emotional experiences, ensuring that reactions can occur more quickly upon encountering similar threats in the future.

In contrast, the hippocampus primarily focuses on forming and retrieving memories, particularly those related to declarative memory and spatial navigation, rather than directly managing emotional responses. The thalamus serves as a relay station for sensory information but does not specialize in emotion management. The cerebellum is mainly involved in motor control and coordination, playing an indirect role in emotional processes. Thus, the amygdala is the most fitting structure associated with emotions like fear and anger.