Basal ganglia

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The basal ganglia, or basal nuclei, are a group of gray matter masses found deep within the white matter of each cerebral hemisphere. The components of basal ganglia are the caudate nucleus, putamen, and globus pallidus. The subthalamic nucleus and substantia nigra are not anatomically part of the basal ganglia but are functionally connected and related to this system. 

To avoid confusion, it is important to define the different terms used when referring to the basal ganglia (please note, you may see different terminology used in other resources):

• The term corpus striatum refers to the caudate nucleus, putamen and globus pallidus. It is, in other words, another term to describe the three basal nuclei. 

• The term dorsal striatum (also known as the neostriatum) refers to the caudate nucleus and putamen. Those two structures are functionally connected, have the same cytoarchitecture and thus can be considered as a single entity (the neostriatum). 

• The term paleostriatum refers to the globus pallidus.

• The ventral striatum includes the nucleus accumbens and olfactory tubercle - these structures are considered to be a part of the limbic system.

• The term lentiform nucleus is a descriptive term which is used for the putamen and the globus pallidus. These two structures, although topographically related, have different functions. This is the reason why the term lentiform nucleus is not used regularly in clinical practice.

The basal ganglia play a crucial role in the modulation of voluntary movements. Dysfunction of these structures can lead to several neurologic conditions broadly known as movement disorders.

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