Basal Ganglia · GPi · substructure
Globus Pallidus, Internal Segment
Globus pallidus internus
The main output nucleus of the basal ganglia: brakes the thalamus; a deep brain stimulation target in dystonia and refractory Tourette syndrome.
Anatomy
- The most medial part of the lentiform nucleus; next to the posterior limb of the internal capsule.
- Receives input from the direct pathway (striatum) and from the subthalamic nucleus (indirect and hyperdirect pathways).
Functions
- Tonic GABAergic output to thalamus VA/VL; when inhibited by the direct pathway, the thalamus is released and the wanted movement begins.
- Its ventromedial (limbic) part takes part in motivation-related circuits.
Clinical
- GPi deep brain stimulation in dystonia (especially DYT1) and refractory Tourette syndrome.
- Pallidal involvement in kernicterus, carbon monoxide poisoning and PKAN.
In the model
How this structure is defined in the 3D model, and the data source.
CIT168 GPi probability map (right/left). The outer shell is the CerebrA pallidum label; the borders of the two atlases may differ slightly.
References
This substructure’s card draws on the parent structure’s references: Globus Pallidus.
This page is for education; it must not be used on its own for diagnosis or treatment decisions.
Last reviewed by the author: 12 October 2026
3D model: built from the MNI ICBM152 average brain and the CerebrA, HCP-MMP1.0, CIT168, Harvard AAN, SUIT and Najdenovska thalamus atlases. License details in the atlas.