basal ganglion

noun

: any of four deeply placed masses of gray matter (such as the amygdala) in each cerebral hemisphere

called also basal nucleus

Word History

First Known Use

1846, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

basal ganglion

noun

: any of four deeply placed masses of gray matter within each cerebral hemisphere comprising the caudate nucleus, the lentiform nucleus, the amygdala, and the claustrum

—usually used in plural

called also basal nucleus