basal ganglion

noun

, Anatomy.

1. any of several masses of gray matter in each cerebral hemisphere.

Word History and Origins

Origin of basal ganglion¹

First recorded in 1910–15

Example Sentences

The general brain region, the basal ganglia, responded more strongly to the randomized syllables, whereas the auditory cortex, a much more specialized region, responded more strongly to the structured word speeches.

From Popular-Science

Cognitive processes, he argued, take place in the limbic lobe of the brain, whereas behavioral memory is centered in the basal ganglia.

From Washington Post

Procedural memories, supported by the basal ganglia, let us remember how to carry out habitual behaviors like riding a bike.

From MIT Technology Review