Basal Ganglia

Question 1

Connections from the precentral motor cortex of the UMN to the subcortical motor centers occurs via the ____

Answer 1

basal ganglia

Question 2

How many basal ganlia are there? Where are they located?

Answer 2

• 5!

Located in Cerebral Hemisphere:
* Caudate Nucleus
* Putamen
* Globus Pallidus (internus/externus)

Located in the Diencephalon
* Subthalamic Nucleus

Located in the Midbrain
* Substania Nigra

Question 3

Lentiform Nucleus =

Answer 3

Putamen + Globus Pallidus
(Anatomically related; Not functionally)

Question 4

Striate Nucleus =

Answer 4

Caudate Nucleus + Putamen
(Less anatomical grouping; Functionally working together)

Question 5

Basal Ganglia Functions

Answer 5

• Debatable
• Important for initiating movement and supressing unwanted movements
• Influence quick, instictive and crude motions (Postural)
• Involved in Control/learning of movement patterns (Well learned movement patterns move from cortex into the basal ganglia)
• Example: Parkinsons; Loss of dopamine, results in slow initiation and tremors. Become more sensory dependent.

Question 6

What can help Parkinson’s patients initiate movement quicker?

Answer 6

Giving them a target

Question 7

The Basal Ganglia does NOT…

Answer 7

intiate movement but it important for it!

Modifies and regulates movement

Question 8

Basal Ganglia works through what two pathways?

Answer 8

• Direct - facilitates movements
• Indirect - inhibits movements

Question 9

Basal Ganglia: Direct Pathway

Answer 9

Subcortical: Anticipatory Postural Control; Common Muscle Tone (Rigidity, Cogwheel Rigidity)

Parkinsons: Freezing, Trouble initiating.

Question 10

Basal Ganglia: Indirect Pathway

Answer 10

Subthalamic is only involved in the indirect pathway NOT direct.

Parkinsons: Tremor