Putamen

Globus pallidus and putamen - very low mag

Striatum Structural MRI

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Putamen - DK ATLAS

Putamen coronal sections

Round structure located at the base of the forebrain

General Information
Latin
Greek
TA98
TA2
FMA
Details
System	Nervous system
Artery
Vein
Nerve
Lymphatic drainage
Precursor
Function
Identifiers
Clinical significance
Notes

The putamen is a round structure located at the base of the forebrain. It is a part of the basal ganglia, which are involved in a variety of functions including motor control, emotions, and cognitive functions. The putamen is one of the structures that make up the striatum, along with the caudate nucleus.

Anatomy

The putamen is situated lateral to the globus pallidus and medial to the external capsule. It is separated from the caudate nucleus by the internal capsule. The putamen, along with the caudate nucleus, forms the dorsal striatum, which is a critical component of the motor and reward systems.

Function

The putamen plays a crucial role in regulating movements and influencing various types of learning. It is involved in a feedback loop that prepares and aids in the execution of limb movements. The putamen receives input from the cerebral cortex and sends output to the thalamus and other parts of the basal ganglia.

Clinical Significance

Damage to the putamen can result in a variety of motor disorders. For example, degeneration of neurons in the putamen is associated with Parkinson's disease, which is characterized by tremors, rigidity, and bradykinesia. The putamen is also implicated in Huntington's disease, a genetic disorder that causes the progressive breakdown of nerve cells in the brain.

Related Structures

• Caudate nucleus
• Globus pallidus
• Substantia nigra
• Subthalamic nucleus
• Thalamus

See Also

• Basal ganglia
• Striatum
• Motor control
• Parkinson's disease
• Huntington's disease

References

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