Basal Ganglia

Question 1

*Basal Ganglia

Answer 1

Large masses of grey matter situated in the basal part of the white matter core of each cerebral hemisphere lateral to the thalamus

Question 2

Functions of Basal nuclei

Answer 2

• Planning and programming of voluntary movements
• Determine how rapidly a movement is to be performed and how large the movement must be
• Decrease muscle tone and inhibit unwanted muscular activity
• Regulate muscle tone and thus helps in smoothening the voluntary motor activities of the body
• Control automatic associated movements, like swinging of arms during walking
• Control group of movements for emotional expression
• Control reflex muscular activities

Question 3

Corpus Striatum consist of

Answer 3

• Caudate nucleus
• Lentiform nucleus (Putamen + Globus Pallidus)

Question 4

Lentiform nucleus consist of

Answer 4

• Putamen
• Globus Pallidus

Question 5

Name the reason for Parkinsons

Answer 5

due to deficiency of the neurotransmitter
dopamine in the corpus striatum following a lesion in substantia nigra and/or its
projections (i.e. nigrostriate fibres)

Question 6

Symptoms of Parkinsons

Answer 6

Resting tremors
Pill-rolling movements of hands
Lead-pipe or cogwheel type of muscular rigidity
Mask-like face or loss of facial expression
Stiff, shuffling gait
Stooped-posture
Bradykinesia

Characteristic features of Parkinsonism
The 4 cardinal symptoms are tremor, rigidity, Bradykinesia and postural instability

Question 7

*Chorea

Answer 7

This is characterized by quick, jerky, irregular purposeless involuntary movements, which involve primarily,
the tongue, face and limbs

Question 8

*Ballismus

Answer 8

Usually results due to vascular lesion of the subthalamic nucleus where normal smooth movements of different parts of the body are integrated

Characterized by a violent burst of irregular movements in the trunk, girdles and proximal extremities