Putamen
Putamen
Putamen (/pjuːˈteɪmən/; from Latin, meaning "shell") is a round structure located at the base of the forebrain (anterior part of the brain). It is one of the principal structures of the basal ganglia, which are a group of nuclei in the brain associated with control of voluntary motor movements, procedural learning, habit learning, eye movements, cognition, and emotion.
Etymology
The term "Putamen" is derived from the Latin word "putamen" which means "shell" or "rind". This is in reference to its shell-like structure.
Anatomy
The Putamen is a large structure located within the brain. It is situated superior to the globus pallidus and lateral to the caudate nucleus. Together with the globus pallidus, it forms the lenticular nucleus. The Putamen and the globus pallidus are separated by the internal capsule, a white matter structure.
Function
The Putamen plays a significant role in a variety of functions. It is involved in several aspects of motor control, including the regulation of movement and muscle tone. Additionally, it plays a role in the learning of motor skills. The Putamen also has a role in the reward system of the brain, and is involved in reinforcement learning.
Clinical significance
Damage or disease affecting the Putamen can lead to a variety of neurological disorders. These include Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, and dystonia. In Parkinson's disease, there is a loss of neurons in the Putamen, leading to motor symptoms such as tremors, rigidity, and bradykinesia. In Huntington's disease, there is a loss of neurons in the Putamen and caudate nucleus, leading to movement disorders and cognitive decline.
Related terms
- Basal ganglia
- Globus pallidus
- Caudate nucleus
- Lenticular nucleus
- Internal capsule
- Parkinson's disease
- Huntington's disease
- Dystonia
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Putamen
- Wikipedia's article - Putamen
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