Basal Ganglia
Definition
The basal ganglia are a group of structures in the brain that are involved in coordinating movement as well as learning, memory, and emotion.
Analogy
Consider the basal ganglia like an orchestra conductor. Just as a conductor coordinates all the different musicians to create harmonious music, the basal ganglia coordinate various parts of the brain to produce smooth, purposeful movements.
Related terms
Parkinson's Disease: A progressive disease that affects movement, often including tremors, caused by a loss of dopamine-producing cells in the basal ganglia.
Dopamine: A neurotransmitter associated with movement, attention and learning and the brain’s pleasure and reward system.
Motor Cortex: An area at the rear of the frontal lobes that controls voluntary movements.
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