Striatum (Noun)
Meaning
A striped mass of white and grey matter located in front of the thalamus in each cerebral hemisphere; consists of the caudate nucleus and the lenticular nucleus.
Classification
Nouns denoting body parts.
Examples
- The striatum is a critical component of the basal ganglia in the brain and plays a key role in coordinating body movements.
- Research suggests that dysfunction in the striatum can lead to the development of neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's disease.
- The striatum receives input from the cerebral cortex and sends output to the thalamus and brainstem, forming a complex neural circuit.
- Damage to the striatum has been linked to various cognitive and motor impairments, including difficulties with decision-making and motor control.
- Studies using functional magnetic resonance imaging have shown that the striatum is activated in response to rewarding stimuli, such as food or money.