Caudatolenticular gray bridges
Pontes grisei caudatolenticulares
- Synonym: Transcapular grey bridges; Transcapular gray bridges
- Related terms: Caudolenticular grey bridges; Caudolenticular grey bridges; Transcapsular grey bridges
Definition
The caudolenticular gray bridges (a.k.a. the cellular bridges) are small bands of striatal gray matter that pass across the internal capsule and connect the caudate nucleus with the putamen.
Although the caudate nucleus and putamen appear as separate masses on gross examination because the internal capsule passes between them, these gray bridges demonstrate that they are anatomically continuous parts of the striatum.
Please note that despite the name caudolenticular, these bridges specifically connect the caudate nucleus to the putamen only, and not to the globus pallidus. More ventrally, the caudate and putamen become more substantially continuous in the region of the ventral striatum, particularly around the nucleus accumbens.
References
Driscoll ME, Bollu PC, Tadi P. Neuroanatomy, Nucleus Caudate. [Updated 2023 Jul 24]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2026 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557407/
