Basal ganglia

Gray substance in white matter

1. Caudate nucleus
Pear shaped and has 2 extremities
Head or broad extremity
Directed forward
continuous with the anterior end of lentiform nucleus and with
the anterior perforated substance.
Tail or narrow extremity
Directed backward
Separated from thalamus by stria terminalis and terminal vein
Continous into roof of inferior cornu and ends in putamen

Separated from lentiform nucleus by internal capsule

2. Lentiform nucleus
is lateral to the caudate nucleus and thalamus
It is shorter than the caudate nucleus
It is bounded laterally by external capsule, and lateral to this the
claustrum.
anterior end
continuous with the lower part of the head of the caudate nucleus
and with the anterior perforated substance.
Has 2 medullary laminæ dividing it into 3 parts.
• The lateral(largest part): reddish color,known as putamen
• medial and intermediate have yellow color,together
constitute the globus pallidus;

Caudate and lentiform nucleus are connected by numerous fibers

3. Nucleus amygdalae
Ovoid shape
At lower end of the roof of inferior cornu
In front Continous with putamen
Behind Continous with striae terminales
Claustrum
Found on lateral surface of external capsule
Medial surface: smooth and continous with external capsule
Lateral surface: rough and has ridges
Separated from insula by capsula extrema(band of Baillarger)