Basal ganglia

Several large clusters of nerve cells, including the striatum and the substantia nigra, deep in the brain below the cerebral hemispheres. The basal ganglia, or basal nuclei, are a group of nuclei of varied origin in the brains of vertebrates that act as a cohesive functioning unit. Basal nuclei are located at the base of the forebrain and are strongly connected with the thalamus, cerebral cortex, and other brain areas.