Corpus striatum

Last revised by Francis Deng on 10 May 2022

The corpus striatum is a group of basal ganglia that includes the caudate nucleus, putamen, globus pallidus, and nucleus accumbens.

According to the Terminologia Neuroanatomica, the corpus striatum is synonymous with the basal nuclei. Some anatomists also include the subthalamic nuclei and substantiae nigrae within the basal nuclei, which are not included in the corpus striatum, but this usage is not universal 1.

Per the Terminologia Anatomica/Neuroanatomica 3,4, the corpus striatum includes the striatum (neostriatum) and pallidum. The (neo)striatum includes the caudate nucleus, putamen, and nucleus accumbens. The pallidum includes the globus pallidus (paleostriatum). Also included are the striatal fiber tracts of the ansa lenticularis, lenticular fasciculus, subthalamic fasciculus, and thalamic fasciculus.

The term originates from the Latin "striatus", meaning "striped", referring to the caudatolenticular bridges of grey matter crossing the internal capsule from the putamen to the caudate nucleus 2.