What are the components of the basal ganglia?
The basal ganglia are a group of nuclei situated in the deep part of the cerebrum and upper part of the brain stem.
Included among these nuclei are the striatum, which is composed of
- the caudate, putamen, and nucleus accumbens (ventral striatum);
- the pallidum, composed of the internal (medial) and external (lateral) parts of the globus pallidus (GP);
- the subthalamic nucleus (STN);
- and the substantia nigra (SN), composed of the pars compacta (SNc) and pars reticulata (SNr).
The putamen and GP are combined to form the lenticular (or lentiform) nucleus because of their lens-like appearance.
These interrelated structures are primarily responsible for control of motor functions
