The Basal Nuclei

Question 1

Masses of gray matter that lie within each cerebral hemisphere deep to the floor of the lateral ventricle. Provide subconscious control of skeletal muscle tone and help coordinate learned movement patterns.

Answer 1

Basal Nuclei

Question 2

The largest part of the Basal Nuclei. Includes the caudate nucleus, the lentiform nucleus, and the internal capsule.

Answer 2

Corpus Striatum

Question 3

“Tail” of the basal nuclei

Answer 3

Caudate Nucleus

Question 4

“Head” of the basal nuclei

Answer 4

Lentiform Nucleus

Question 5

The axon bundles that link the cerebral cortex to the diencephalon and brain stem.

Answer 5

Fibers of Internal Capsule

Question 6

Define the basal nuclei.

Answer 6

The masses of cerebral gray matter that function in the subconscious control of skeletal muscle activity.

Question 7

Describe the caudate nucleus.

Answer 7

It is one of the basal nuclei involved with the subconscious control of skeletal muscle activity.

Question 8

What clinical signs would you expect to observe in a person who has damage to the basal nuclei?

Answer 8

Damage would result in decreased muscle tone and the loss of coordination of learned movement patterns.