Basal ganglia

A group of prominent nuclei lying deep in the subcortical white matter of the cerebral hemispheres that are involved in motor and cognitive functions. The caudate nucleus, putamen, and the globus pallidus are the major components of the basal ganglia; however, additional structures, including the subthalamic nucleus and substantia nigra, modulate the processing of signals in the intrinsic circuitry of the basal ganglia. The basal ganglia serve to regulate the expression of bodily movements, affective behavior and certain cognitive processes by integrating widespread inputs from the cerebral cortex and modulating the activity of relevant thalamic relay nuclei.