A REPORT ON BASAL GANGLIA

BY

UDE EBENEZER OGONNA

20201250207

TO

THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN ANATOMY,

SCHOOL OF BASIC MEDICAL SCIENCE

ON

NEUROANATOMY (ANA 307)

 BASAL GANGLIA
INTRODUCTION
The basal ganglia are large masses of grey matter situated in the cerebral
hemispheres.
Anatomically, the basal ganglia include large subcortical masses of grey matter
located within each cerebral hemisphere developing from telencephalon.
They include;
1. Caudate nucleus
2. Lentiform nucleus, which consists of two functionally distinct parts, the
putamen and the Globus pallidus.
3. Amygdaloid nuclear complex.
4. Claustrum
The caudate nucleus and the lentiform nucleus together constitute the CORPUS
STRIATUM. The Lentiform Nucleus consists of two functionally distinct parts. The
caudate nucleus and the putamen form one unit called the striatum (also known
asneostriatum), while the globus pallidus forms the other unit, the pallidum (also
known as paleostriatum).
Phylogenetically, amygdaloid nuclear complex and claustrum are considered as
archistriatum.
Functionally, the basal ganglia comprise of structures, the lesion of which
produces dyskinesias (abnormal involuntary purposeless movements). The
structures included are:
•Corpus striatum
•The subthalamic nucleus (which is of diencephalic origin) is very closely linked to
the basal ganglia and is regarded as belonging to this group.
•The substantia nigra (midbrain) is also closely linked, functionally, to the basal
ganglia.
•Some masses of grey matter found just below the corpus striatum (near the
anterior perforated substance) are described as the ventral striatum. The part of
the globus pallidus, which lies below the level of the anterior commissure, is
designated as the ventral pallidum.

CAUDATE NUCLEUS
The caudate nucleus is a C-shaped mass of grey matter. It consists of a large head,
body and thin tail. The nucleus is intimately related to the lateral ventricle. The
head of the nucleus bulges into the anterior horn of the ventricle and forms the
greater part of its floor. The body of the nucleus lies in the floor of the central part
and the tail in the roof of the inferior horn of the ventricle. The anterior part of
the head of the caudate nucleus is fused, inferiorly, with the lentiform nucleus.
Fusion of these two results in strands of grey matter passing through the
descending fibres of internal capsule giving a striated appearance and hence the
name ‘Corpus striatum’ to denote caudate and lentiform nuclei.
This region of fusion is referred to as the fundus striati. The fundus striati is
continuous, inferiorly, with the anterior perforated substance. The anterior end of
the tail of the caudate nucleus ends by becoming continuous with the amygdaloid
nucleus. The body of the caudate nucleus is related medially to the thalamus and
laterally to the internal capsule, which separates it from the lentiform nucleus.

LENTIFORM NUCLEUS
The lentiform nucleus appears triangular (or wedge-shaped) in the coronal
section.
Relations
The lentiform nucleus lies lateral to the internal capsule. Laterally, it is separated
from the claustrum by fibres of the external capsule. (Note that these capsules are
so called because they appear, to the naked eyes, to form a covering or capsule for
the lentiform nucleus.)
Superiorly, the lentiform nucleus is related to the corona radiata and inferiorly, to
the sublentiform part of the internal capsule.
Parts
It is divided by a thin lamina of white matter, known as external medullary lamina,
into a lateral part, the putamen and a medial part, the globus pallidus. The globus
pallidus is further subdivided into medial and lateral (or internal and external)
segments, by the internal medullary lamina.
CONNECTIONS OF CORPUS STRIATUM
Afferent Connections
The striatum (caudate and lentiform nuclei) receives
afferents from the following:
1. The entire cerebral cortex via corticostriate fibres. These fibres are
glutamatergic.
2. The intralaminar nuclei of the thalamus via thalamostriate fibres.
3. The pars compacta of the substantia nigra via nigrostriate fibres. These fibres
are dopaminergic.
4. Noradrenergic fibres are received from the locus coeruleus.
5. Serotoninergic fibres are received from the raphe nuclei (in the reticular
formation of the midbrain).
Efferent Connections
The main output of the striatum is concentrated upon the pallidum and on the
substantia nigra (pars reticularis). The outflow from globus pallidus forms four
separate Bundles:
1. Fasciculus lenticularisarises from the inner segment of the globus pallidus and
enters the subthalamic region.
2. Ansa lenticularis arises from both the inner and outer segments of the globus
pallidus and enters the subthalamic region where it meets the
dentatorubrothalamic fibres and the fasciculus lenticularis. The union of the
three tracts is called the thalamic fasciculus, which terminates in the ventral
anterior (VA), ventral lateral (VL) and centromedian nuclei of thalamus.
3. Subthalamic fasciculus consists of reciprocal connections between the globus
pallidus and nucleus subthalamicus.
4. Some fibres from globus pallidus also pass to the substantia nigra (pallidonigral
fibres).
Functions of Corpus Striatum
1. The corpus striatum mediates enormous number of automatic activities
involved in normal motor functions. For example, the maintenance of erect
posture when sitting or standing, or swinging of arms during walking.
2. It helps in smoothening the voluntary motor activity of the body.
3. It helps in maintenance of muscle tone.
4. It helps in prevention of involuntary movement.

CLAUSTRUM
This is a thin lamina of grey matter that lies lateral to the lentiform nucleus. It is
separated from the latter by fibres of the external capsule.
Laterally, it is separated by a thin layer of white matter from the cortex of the
insula. It is functionally related probably to limbic system.

AMYGDALOID NUCLEAR COMPLEX

This complex (also called the amygdaloid body or amygdala) lies in the temporal
lobe of the cerebral hemisphere and close to the temporal pole. It lies deep to the
uncus and is related to the anterior end of the inferior horn of the lateral
ventricle. It is functionally related to limbic system.
Substantia Nigra
Substantia nigra is a large motor nucleus present in the midbrain. The nucleus
consists of two parts:
(1) Pars reticularis:
(2) Pars compacta.
Blood Supply of Basal Ganglia
The basal ganglia are supplied by:
1. Lenticulostriate branches of middle and anterior.
2. Anterior choroidal branch of internal carotid artery.
Clinical Correlate of the Basal Ganglia
Abnormal Movements : Various kinds of abnormal movements are seen in
neurological disorders involving the basal ganglia, Involvement of basal ganglia
results in unwanted involuntary movements (dyskinesia) and not paralysis.
(kinesia=movement)
The movements could be hyperkinetic (rapid movements), hypotonic or
hypokinetic (slow movements).
In hyperkinetic conditions, the movements are excessive and abnormal. They
include chorea, athetosis and ballismus.
 Chorea is characterized by rapid, involuntary, purposeless and dancing
movements of the distal parts of the limbs.
 Athetosis is characterized by continuous slow writhing movements.
 Ballismus is characterized by involuntary and violent movements involving
more proximal joints. Haemorrhagic involvement of subthalamic nucleus
causes violent, flinging movements (hemibalismus) on the contralateral side
of the affected subthalamus.
Parkinsonism or paralysis agitans (shaking palsy)