(13) Chapter 12.2.2 Cerebral White Matter and Basal Nuclei BIO201

Cerebral White Matter

Deeper structures of the cerebrum responsible for communication between areas of the cortex.

Association Tracts

Horizontal tracts that connect different parts of the same hemisphere.

Commissural Tracts

Horizontal fibers that connect gray matter of two different cerebral hemispheres.

Projection Fibers

Vertical fibers that connect the hemispheres with lower brain regions or send information to the cortex.

Internal Capsule

Compact band of projection fibers that passes between the thalamus and the basal nuclei.

Corona Radiata

Projection fibers that radiate through the circle of white matter of the cortex.

Corpus Callosum

The largest commissural fiber connecting the right and left cerebral hemispheres.

Basal Nuclei

Groups of gray matter involved in movement, cognition, and emotion, including the caudate, putamen, and globus pallidus.

Striatum

The structure formed by the caudate and putamen within the basal nuclei.

Hippocampus

Part of the temporal lobe involved in memory and emotional processing, located near the caudate nucleus.

Amygdala

A brain region involved in emotional processing, located at the tip of the hippocampus.

Parkinson's Disease

A movement disorder characterized by difficulty filtering out unnecessary movements, leading to tremors.

Huntington's Disease

A movement disorder that involves random, inappropriate movements due to difficulties with motor control.

Thalamus

Part of the diencephalon that relays sensory information to the cortex.

Ventricles

Fluid-filled spaces within the brain, located deeper than the white matter.

Subthalamic Nuclei

Nuclei involved in movement, closely associated with the basal nuclei.

Substantia Nigra

A midbrain structure involved in movement regulation, associated with the basal nuclei.