| Putamen | |
|---|---|
 Putamen (in red) shown within the brain | |
 Coronal section of brain through intermediate mass of third ventricle. (Putamen labeled at top.) | |
| Details | |
| Part of | Dorsal striatum |
| Identifiers | |
| MeSH | D011699 |
| NeuroNames | 230 |
| NeuroLex ID | birnlex_809 |
| TA98 | A14.1.09.507 |
| TA2 | 5566 |
| FMA | 61834 |
| Anatomical terms of neuroanatomy | |
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The putamen (/pjuˈteɪmən/; from Latin, meaning "nutshell") is a round structure located at the base of the forebrain (telencephalon). The putamen and caudate nucleus together form the dorsal striatum. It is also one of the structures that compose the basal nuclei. Through various pathways, the putamen is connected to the substantia nigra, the globus pallidus, the claustrum, and the thalamus, in addition to many regions of the cerebral cortex. A primary function of the putamen is to regulate movements at various stages (e.g. preparation and execution) and influence various types of learning. It employs GABA, acetylcholine, and enkephalin to perform its functions. The putamen also plays a role in degenerative neurological disorders, such as Parkinson's disease.