The Caudate Nucleus. Its Connections, Surgical Implications and Related Complications.

BACKGROUND: We detail the anatomical connections, relationships with other basal ganglia structures, and clinical implications of injury to the caudate nucleus. RESULTS: Anatomically, the most inferior transcapsular grey matter is the lentiform peduncle, which is the connections between the lentiform nucleus and caudate nucleus, as well as the amygdala. The border between the tail and body of the caudate nucleus is the posterior insular point. The tail of the caudate nucleus runs as extraependymal in some parts and intraependymal in some parts of the roof of the temporal horn of the lateral ventricle. The tail of the caudate nucleus crosses the inferior limiting sulcus (temporal stem), and its section during approaches to lesions involving the temporal stem may cause motor apraxia. The mean distance from the temporal limen point, which is the junction of the limen insula and inferior limiting sulcus, to the tail of the caudate nucleus in the temporal stem is 15.87+/-3.10 mm. CONCLUSION: Understanding of the functional anatomy and connections of the distinct parts of the caudate nucleus is essential for deciding the extent of resection of lesions involving the caudate nucleus and the types of deficits that may be found post-operatively.