Putamen
[[File:File:Putamen.png|frameless|alt=]]
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| Part of | Basal ganglia |
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[edit]
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[edit]
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[edit]
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.
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