Definition
- Basal ganglia are deep subcortical, extrapyramidal nuclei (caudate nucleus, putamen, globus pallidus, subthalamic nucleus, substantia nigra) receiving cortical input, projecting back via thalamus.
- They receive no direct input from the spinal cord.
Parts and Subdivisions
Basal ganglia terminology
Term
Striatum (neostriatum)
- Composition
- Caudate nucleus + putamen
Lenticular nucleus
- Composition
- Putamen + globus pallidus
Globus pallidus
- Composition
- External part (GPe) + internal part (GPi)
Substantia nigra
- Composition
- Pars compacta + pars reticulata
Parts of basal ganglia
- Striatum subdivides into striosomes (limbic projections, limbic function) and matrix (motor cortex projection, motor function).