The diagram comprises three boxes linked by arrows: the one on the left is labelled thalamus; the one on the right is labelled amygdala and the one at the top of the diagram is labelled cortex. A black arrow denotes an emotional stimulus arriving at the thalamus and another black arrow, emerging from the amygdala, denotes emotional responses. A blue arrow leading directly from the thalamus to the amygdala is labelled ‘low road’ and a sequence of red arrows from the thalamus to the amygdala via the cortex is labelled ‘high road.