What is bazal ganglia?

The basal ganglia (also known as basal nuclei) are a group of nuclei located deep within the brain, primarily in the forebrain. They are involved in a variety of functions including motor control, emotion regulation, cognition, and learning. The basal ganglia receive input from the cortex and send output to other parts of the brain such as the thalamus, brainstem, and spinal cord. Some of the major structures within the basal ganglia include the striatum (composed of the caudate nucleus and putamen), globus pallidus, and substantia nigra. Dysfunction of the basal ganglia can lead to various disorders such as Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, and Tourette's syndrome.