caudate nucleus
noun
: the most medial of the four basal ganglia in each cerebral hemisphere
called also caudate
Examples of caudate nucleus in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
But a host of other parts of the brain—including the fornix, basal ganglia, thalamus, amygdala, caudate nucleus, and prefrontal cortex—also play a role in consolidating and storing longer term memories.
—
Jeffrey Kluger, TIME, 20 Mar. 2025
Researchers found that the caudate nucleus, the area of the canine brain associated with positive expectations, was active to a similar or even greater level in 13 out of the 15 dogs when receiving praise compared with when they were given food.
—Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2024
In the largest study of its kind, the scientists looked at the subcortical brain volume of the brainstem, caudate nucleus, putamen, hippocampus, globus pallidus, thalamus, nucleus accumbens, amygdala and the ventral diencephalon.
—New Atlas, 25 Oct. 2024
Neuroscientists say empathic concern is supported by several regions of the brain associated with social attachment and caregiving — the ventral tegmental area, caudate nucleus and subgenual anterior cingulate cortex.
—Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 20 May 2022
The study also found that the caudate nucleus, a reward center in the brain, was activated in response to negative gossip about celebrities; subjects seemed to be amused or entertained by salacious celebrity scandals.
—Sophia Gottfried, Time, 25 Sep. 2019
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Jeffrey Kluger, TIME, 20 Mar. 2025
Researchers found that the caudate nucleus, the area of the canine brain associated with positive expectations, was active to a similar or even greater level in 13 out of the 15 dogs when receiving praise compared with when they were given food.
—Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2024
In the largest study of its kind, the scientists looked at the subcortical brain volume of the brainstem, caudate nucleus, putamen, hippocampus, globus pallidus, thalamus, nucleus accumbens, amygdala and the ventral diencephalon.
—New Atlas, 25 Oct. 2024
Neuroscientists say empathic concern is supported by several regions of the brain associated with social attachment and caregiving — the ventral tegmental area, caudate nucleus and subgenual anterior cingulate cortex.
—Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 20 May 2022
The study also found that the caudate nucleus, a reward center in the brain, was activated in response to negative gossip about celebrities; subjects seemed to be amused or entertained by salacious celebrity scandals.
—Sophia Gottfried, Time, 25 Sep. 2019
Cite this Entry
“Caudate nucleus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/caudate%20nucleus. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share