The globus pallidus (Latin for "pale globe") is a sub-cortical structure of the brain. It is a major element of the basal ganglia system. In this system, it is a major constituent of the basal ganglia core, which consists of the striatum and its direct targets: globus pallidus and substantia nigra. The last two are made up of the same neuronal elements, have a similar main afferent (the dorsal striatum), have a similar synaptology, and do not rec...
more
The globus pallidus (Latin for "pale globe") is a sub-cortical structure of the brain. It is a major element of the basal ganglia system. In this system, it is a major constituent of the basal ganglia core, which consists of the striatum and its direct targets: globus pallidus and substantia nigra. The last two are made up of the same neuronal elements, have a similar main afferent (the dorsal striatum), have a similar synaptology, and do not receive cortical afferents.
The origin of the name is not established. It was known by Dejerine (1906) but not by Santiago Ramón y Cajal (1909-1911). As the elements in no way have the shape of a globe, Foix and Nicolesco (1925), the Vogts (1941), Crosby et all.(1962) followed by the Terminologia anatomica proposed the simpler term (neuter adjective) of pallidum (pale). During a long period the globus pallidus was unduly linked to the putamen in the lentiform nucleus (nucleus lenticularis or lentiformis). This was a heterogeneous anatomical...
less