| 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 | |
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (July 2024) |
The putamen (/pjuˈteɪmən/; from Latin, meaning "nutshell") is a subcortical nucleus with a rounded structure, in the basal ganglia nuclear group. It is located at the base of the forebrain and above the midbrain.
The putamen and caudate nucleus together form the dorsal striatum. 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 such as in preparation and execution; and to influence various types of learning. It employs GABA, acetylcholine, and enkephalin to perform its functions. The putamen also plays a role in neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's disease.