How are the basal ganglia positioned in relation to the cerebral cortex?

The basal ganglia are a group of nuclei located deep within the cerebral hemispheres, positioned deep beneath the cerebral cortex, which is the brain's highly convoluted outer layer.12

While they are anatomically distinct from the cortex, they maintain a functional relationship through complex, indirect loops. The basal ganglia receive significant input from almost all areas of the cerebral cortex. After processing this information, they return signals to the cortex via the thalamus. This structural arrangement allows the basal ganglia to refine and modify cortical activity, helping to regulate movement, motivation, and cognitive functions before the final motor plan is executed.321