What structure is often referred to as part of the basal ganglia along with the globus pallidus?

The putamen is indeed often referred to as part of the basal ganglia, alongside the globus pallidus. The basal ganglia consist of a group of nuclei that are primarily involved in the regulation of voluntary motor movements, procedural learning, and various cognitive and emotional functions. The putamen plays a key role in this system, particularly in the planning and modulation of movement through its connections with both the cortical areas and other components of the basal ganglia.

The basal ganglia can be viewed as a motor circuit where the putamen receives input from the cerebral cortex, processes this information, and then sends output back through the globus pallidus and substantia nigra to influence motor control. This interplay is crucial for smooth, coordinated movements. The globus pallidus and putamen together form a structure often described as the striatum, which is a critical area implicated in motor control.

In contrast, the thalamus primarily serves as a relay station for sensory and motor signals but is not part of the basal ganglia. The caudate nucleus is indeed another component of the basal ganglia, but in the context of the question, the putamen is the specific structure often paired with the globus pallidus. The cerebellum,