Putamen
Updates to Article Attributes
The putamen (plural: putamina) is a paired structure and one of the nuclei that make up the basal ganglia. Together with the caudate nucleus, it may be referred to as the corpus striatum.
Gross anatomy
The putamen is a round structure situated at the base of the forebrain and is the most lateral of the basal ganglia nuclei on axial section. Medially to it lies the globus pallidus and laterally, the external capsule. The putamen and globus pallidus are collectively referred to as the lentiform nucleus owing to their lens-like shape.
Through various pathways, the putamen is connected to the substantia nigra and globus pallidus. The main function of the putamen is to regulate movements and influence various types of learning. It employs dopamine to perform its functions. The putamen also plays a role in degenerative neurological disorders, such as Parkinson disease.
Related pathology
See also
-<p>The <strong>putamen</strong> (plural: putamina) is a paired structure and one of the nuclei that make up the <a href="/articles/basal-ganglia">basal ganglia</a>. Together with the <a href="/articles/caudate-nucleus">caudate nucleus</a>, it may be referred to as the <a href="/articles/corpus-striatum">corpus striatum</a>.</p><h4>Gross anatomy</h4><p>The putamen is a round structure situated at the base of the <a title="Forebrain" href="/articles/prosencephalon">forebrain</a> and is the most lateral of the basal ganglia nuclei on axial section. Medially to it lies the globus pallidus and laterally, the <a href="/articles/external-capsule">external capsule</a>. The putamen and <a href="/articles/globus-pallidus">globus pallidus</a> are collectively referred to as the <a href="/articles/lentiform-nucleus">lentiform nucleus</a> owing to their lens-like shape.</p><p>Through various pathways, the putamen is connected to the <a href="/articles/substantia-nigra">substantia nigra</a> and globus pallidus. The main function of the putamen is to regulate movements and influence various types of learning. It employs dopamine to perform its functions. The putamen also plays a role in degenerative neurological disorders, such as <a href="/articles/parkinson-disease-1">Parkinson disease</a>.</p><h4>Related pathology</h4><ul>- +<p>The <strong>putamen</strong> (plural: putamina) is a paired structure and one of the nuclei that make up the <a href="/articles/basal-ganglia">basal ganglia</a>. Together with the <a href="/articles/caudate-nucleus">caudate nucleus</a>, it may be referred to as the <a href="/articles/corpus-striatum">corpus striatum</a>.</p><h4>Gross anatomy</h4><p>The putamen is a round structure situated at the base of the <a href="/articles/prosencephalon">forebrain</a> and is the most lateral of the basal ganglia nuclei on axial section. Medially to it lies the globus pallidus and laterally, the <a href="/articles/external-capsule">external capsule</a>. The putamen and <a href="/articles/globus-pallidus">globus pallidus</a> are collectively referred to as the <a href="/articles/lentiform-nucleus">lentiform nucleus</a> owing to their lens-like shape.</p><p>Through various pathways, the putamen is connected to the <a href="/articles/substantia-nigra">substantia nigra</a> and globus pallidus. The main function of the putamen is to regulate movements and influence various types of learning. It employs dopamine to perform its functions. The putamen also plays a role in degenerative neurological disorders, such as <a href="/articles/parkinson-disease-1">Parkinson disease</a>.</p><h4>Related pathology</h4><ul>