Basal Ganglia

What are the Basal Ganglia?

The basal ganglia are a group of structures linked to the thalamus in the base of the brain and are involved in control of voluntary motor movements, procedural learning, routine behaviors or "habits" such as teeth grinding, eye movements, cognition, and emotion.

Describe their location and blood supply

• The basal ganglia are located in the base of the brain, beneath the cerebral cortex.
• They consist of a group of structures including the caudate nucleus, putamen, globus pallidus, substantia nigra, and subthalamic nucleus.
• The blood supply to the basal ganglia is mainly provided by the anterior cerebral artery, middle cerebral artery, and posterior cerebral artery.

Describe the Applied Anatomy

• The basal ganglia have connections with the thalamus, which relays signals to the cerebral cortex.
• The basal ganglia circuit includes the following structures:
  • Caudate nucleus → Putamen → Globus pallidus → Subthalamic nucleus → Thalamus → Cerebral cortex
• The globus pallidus and substantia nigra are involved in the regulation of voluntary movement.
• The subthalamic nucleus is involved in the regulation of voluntary movement and is the target for deep brain stimulation in the treatment of Parkinson's disease.
• The putamen and caudate nucleus are involved in the regulation of movement and are affected in Huntington's disease.