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Why is the caudate nucleus described as C-shaped?
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The caudate nucleus is described as C-shaped because its anatomical configuration parallels the lateral ventricle of the brain.1
This structure follows the shape of the ventricle through its three main regions:
* The head of the caudate nucleus protrudes into the anterior horn of the lateral ventricle.1
* The body of the nucleus is positioned above and lateral to the thalamus.1
* The tail of the nucleus is located in the roof of the inferior horn of the lateral ventricle, eventually ending in relation to the amygdala.1