Human Anatomy & Physiology (9th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0321743261
ISBN 13: 978-0-32174-326-8

Chapter 12 - The Central Nervous System - Review Questions - Page 481: 17a

Answer

The basal nuclei are the caudate nucleus, the putamen and the globus pallidus. They are located deep in the white matter of the cerebrum. The have two types of functions: 1. The basal nuclei indirectly influence and refine muscle movements initiated by the primary motor cortex. 2. They also influence cognition and emotion.

Work Step by Step

The basal nuclei -- caudate, putame, and globus pallidua--are located deep on the white matter of the cerebral hemispheres. Their functions are somewhat unclear, but this is known: They receive inputs from the entire cerebral cortex, from other sub-cortical nuclei and from one another . By way of the thalamus, they project to the cortex and thus are able to influence muscle movements controlled by the primary motor cortex. Their influence is very important in starting, monitoring, and stopping of slow steady muscle movements like arm swinging while walking. Basal nuclei filter out inappropriate and unnecessary movements and inhibit ones antagonistic to the main activity. In addition, basal nuclei have a roles in emotion and in cognition .
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