Caudate nucleus
| Caudate nucleus | |
|---|---|
 Location of the caudate nucleus (red) | |
| Details | |
| System | Central nervous system |
| Artery | Lenticulostriate arteries |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | nucleus caudatus |
| TA98 | Lua error in Module:Wikidata at line 746: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). |
| TH | {{#property:P1694}} |
| TE | {{#property:P1693}} |
| FMA | {{#property:P1402}} |
| Anatomical terms of neuroanatomy [[[d:Lua error in Module:Wikidata at line 865: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).|edit on Wikidata]]] | |
The caudate nucleus is a vital structure within the brain's basal ganglia system. It plays a significant role in various higher neurological functions, including motor control, learning, memory, and emotional regulation.
Anatomy[edit | edit source]
The caudate nucleus is a C-shaped structure that arches over the thalamus. It is divided into three parts: the head, body, and tail. The head of the caudate nucleus is large and rounded, located anteriorly, while the body tapers off and the tail extends into the temporal lobe, ending in the amygdala.
Function[edit | edit source]
The caudate nucleus is involved in several critical functions:
- Motor Control: It helps regulate voluntary movement and coordination.
- Learning and Memory: It is associated with the brain's learning and memory systems, particularly in the context of feedback processing.
- Emotion: The caudate nucleus is involved in emotional regulation and has connections with the limbic system.
Clinical Significance[edit | edit source]
Dysfunction or damage to the caudate nucleus can result in various neurological disorders, including:
- Huntington's disease: A genetic disorder that leads to the degeneration of neurons in the caudate nucleus, causing motor dysfunction and cognitive decline.
- Parkinson's disease: Although primarily associated with the substantia nigra, Parkinson's disease also affects the caudate nucleus, contributing to motor symptoms.
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD): Abnormalities in the caudate nucleus have been linked to OCD, affecting the regulation of repetitive behaviors.
Related Structures[edit | edit source]
The caudate nucleus works closely with other components of the basal ganglia, including the putamen, globus pallidus, and subthalamic nucleus. It also has connections with the cerebral cortex, particularly the prefrontal cortex, which is involved in higher cognitive functions.
Related Pages[edit | edit source]
- Basal ganglia
- Thalamus
- Amygdala
- Limbic system
- Huntington's disease
- Parkinson's disease
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder
Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
