basal ganglia

Main Entry:	basal ganglia
Part of Speech:	n
Definition:	the large masses of gray matter at the base of the brain which, if damaged, would impair motor abilities
Usage:	medicine

Main Entry: basal ganglion
Function: noun
: any of four deeply placed masses of gray matter within each cerebral hemisphere comprising the caudate nucleus, the lentiformnucleus, the amygdala, and the claustrum —usually used in plural; called also basal nucleus

basal ganglia pl.n.

1. The caudate and lentiform nuclei of the brain and the cell groups associated with them, considered as a group.

2. All of the large masses of gray matter at the base of the cerebral hemisphere. No longer in technical use.