Britannica AI Icon

Quick Summary

The caudate nucleus is a C-shaped structure located within each cerebral hemisphere of the brain. It is one of the four main components of the basal ganglia, which are deep within the cerebrum and play a role in motor control. The caudate nucleus, along with the putamen, forms the neostriatum, also known as the striatum.12

The head of the caudate nucleus bulges into the anterior horn of the lateral ventricle, its body runs alongside the thalamus, and its tail is found in the roof of the inferior horn of the lateral ventricle. This structure receives extensive input from the cerebral cortex and other brain regions, and it is involved in various functions, including motor control and learning.1

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.