Neuro 3 Flashcards
What are the basal ganglia? Where are they located?
subcorticol nuclear masees of grey matter which are inferior to the cerebral part of the hemisphere, lateral to the thalamus
A number of masses of grey matter located at the base of each cerebral hemisphere.
They are located deep within the cerebral hemispheres and extend down into deeper parts of the brainstem too (located in the basal forebrain and the midbrain)
The basal ganglia also has strong connections with other aspects of the cerebrum, thalamus and brainstem
Essentially one structure as they are very closely related
Give the general function of the BG
They function generally to control movement, although different elements of the basal ganglia are involved in more specific controls of movement
The basal ganglia have also been noted for their role in muscle memory and learning from new situations, meaning they have a very strong link with the limbic system
What are the groups of nuclei in the subcorticol nuclei?
Putamen
Globus Pallidus/Paleostriatum
Caudate nucleus
Claustrum
Substantia nigra
Subthalamic nucleus
When is BG function disturbed? (2)
Parkinson’s or Huntington’s
label this
Give the groupings of the BG (3)
The nuclei of the basal ganglia are named in accordance with shape, location or shape formed when grouped together:
Lentiform nucleus = globus pallidus + putamen (not functionally similar, just location)
Neostriatum/striatum = caudate nucleus + putamen (functionally similar)
Corpus striatum = caudate nucleus + putamen + globus pallidus
Anterior view of the BG
What is the pallidum?
Subdivisions of the pallidum
In phylogenetic terms, it is the oldest part of the corpus striatum so is referred to as the paleostriatum.
It is named due to its pale/pallid appearance in fixed brain slices due to the presence of bundles of myelinated axons
