Corpus: Caudate nucleus

The caudate nucleus is a paired nuclear area in the cerebrum (telencephalon) belonging to the basal ganglia. Together with the putamen, it forms the striatum. As part of the extrapyramidal motor system (EPS), the caudate nucleus plays an important role in the control of voluntary motor activity.

The caudate nucleus is separated from the lateral putamen by the internal capsule. The nucleus area can be macroscopically divided into three sections:

• Caput nuclei caudati: The flask-shaped caudate head forms the lateral wall of the anterior horn of the lateral ventricle.
• Corpus nuclei caudati: The caudate body forms the lateral wall of the pars centralis of the lateral ventricle.
• Cauda nuclei caudati: The caudate tail runs in the dorsolateral wall of the lateral ventricle and forms the roof of the inferior horn of the lateral ventricle.

The caudate nucleus receives afferents from dopaminergic neurones from the substantia nigra (pars compacta) as well as from the association cortex and the amygdala. The caudate nucleus also sends projections to the hippocampus.

The caudate nucleus is supplied with blood by the lenticulostriatal arteries and the anterior choroidal artery.

The caudate nucleus plays a role in motor processes and learning processes. It is also part of the reward system and involved in the sleep cycle.

The caudate nucleus plays a role in a variety of diseases, e.g. in:

• Parkinson's syndrome
• Huntington's disease
• ADHD