Lab 10 (ƒ2) - Internal Organization of the Brain
Basal Ganglia
The diagram shows the different cerebral nuclei belong to the basal ganglia. It is not really a group of ganglia, but a collection of subcortical nuclei. The basal ganglia includes the Caudate, Putamen, Globus Pallidus, Subthalamic Nucleus and Substantia Nigra (see figure below). We will find out more about the subthalamic nucleus and substantia nigra later in this lab.
The caudate and putamen together are known as the neostriatum or as the striatum. The putamen and globus pallidus are referred to as the lentiform nucleus due to their bean-shaped appearance. The lentiform nucleus and the caudate are referred to together as the corpus striatum. The basal ganglia are a major subunit of the motor control system that works with the cerebral cortex and other brainstem structures to program movements.
