Basal Ganglia

Question 1

Caudate nucleus + putamen

Answer 1

Striatum (striped appearance)

Question 2

Nucleus accumbens alternate name

Answer 2

Ventral striatum

Question 3

Putamen + globus pallidus

Answer 3

Lentiform nucleus

Question 4

What is the ansa lenticularis

Answer 4

Outflow from globus pallidus; GABA-ergic projection to thalamus

Question 5

What type of project (ex/in) is the Striatum to the GPi?

Answer 5

Inhbitory

Question 6

What receptors on the Striatum do SN DA bind in the direct pathway?

Answer 6

D1 (excitatory)

Question 7

What is the role of the STN in the indirect pathway

Answer 7

Excites the inhibitory neuron from the GPi to the thalamus, resulting in more inhibition

• STN to GPi = subthalmic fasciculus
• GPi to thalamus = ansa lenticularis

Question 8

Which DA receptors do SN DA bind in the indirect pathway

Answer 8

D2; inhibits excitatory interneuron; reduces the activity of the STN (cortical input increases excitatory interneuron simultaneously, increasing STN activity)

Question 9

Goal of indirect pathway

Answer 9

Inhibit competing movements

Question 10

Goal of direct pathway

Answer 10

Facilitate target-oriented movements

Question 11

Describe blood supply to basal ganglia

Answer 11

Question 12

Nucleus accumbens is the fusion of ___

Answer 12

Head of caudate and putamen

Question 13

Where is the Substantia nigra located

Answer 13

Rostral midbrain – dark appearance

Question 14

Which 2 fibre tracts form the thalamic fasciculus?

Answer 14

1) lenticular fasciculus and ansa lenticularis (GPi)

Question 15

Which fibres travel in the subthalamic fasciculus

Answer 15

1) inhibitory projections from GPe to STN; excitatory projections from STN to GPi

Question 16

The anterior choroidal arteries branch off of which main artery?

Answer 16

Internal carotid (along with MCA)

Question 17

Which BG structures are supplied by anterior choroidal artery?

Answer 17

1) Tail of caudate; 2) Posterior portions of GP and Putamen

Question 18

Which BG structures are supplied by the ACA

Answer 18

Branches penetrate to head of the caudate and anterior part of Putamen and GP (opposite of anterior choroidal arteries)

Question 19

Which BG structures are supplied by the MCA?

Answer 19

Branches supply putamen and globus pallidus (middle portions) and the BODY of the caudate nucleus

Question 20

Which BG structures are supplied by the PCA and posterior communicating artery?

Answer 20

Entire thalamus (deep branches); SN, STN, posterior caudate