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Body of caudate nucleus

The body of the caudate nucleus is a prominent, C-shaped gray matter structure located deep within the cerebral hemispheres, forming part of the basal ganglia. It plays a crucial role in motor processing, associative learning, and several cognitive functions. Anatomically, the body of the caudate nucleus lies between the head (anteriorly) and the tail (posteriorly), curving along the lateral ventricle’s lateral wall. Its imaging characteristics are clinically important in identifying various neurological conditions.

Synonyms

  • Caudate body

  • Corpus caudatum (body)

  • Central part of caudate nucleus

Arterial Supply

  • Mainly supplied by the lateral lenticulostriate arteries, which are branches of the middle cerebral artery (MCA)

  • Some contribution from the recurrent artery of Heubner (a branch of the anterior cerebral artery, ACA)

Venous Drainage

  • Drained by the internal cerebral veins

  • These veins eventually drain into the great cerebral vein (of Galen)

Function

  • Involved in motor control and regulation

  • Plays a role in learning and memory

  • Important for associative and cognitive processing

  • Participates in planning and execution of movement

  • Modulates feedback to the cortex via the thalamus

MRI Appearance

  • T2-weighted images: Slightly hyperintense relative to surrounding brain tissue

  • FLAIR images: Also appears slightly hyperintense compared to adjacent structures

  • T1-weighted images: Slightly hypointense compared to the surrounding brain tissue

CT Appearance

  • On non-contrast CT, the body of the caudate nucleus appears as a region of slightly increased density compared to adjacent white matter

  • Typically isodense or slightly hyperdense to normal gray matter, allowing distinction from the lateral ventricles

  • Pathological changes (e.g., infarct, hemorrhage) may alter these features

MRI images

Body of caudate nucleus mri 3t axial image

MRI images

Body of caudate nucleus mri 3t coronal image