basal nucleus (BSN)

The term basal nucleus refers to discrete groups of large cells revealed by Nissl stain in the rostral portion of the substantia innominata of the human ( Anthoney-1994; Schiebler-1999 ) and the macaque ( Szabo-1984 ). The primate structure probably has a topological equivalent in the rat ( Swanson-2004 ) and the mouse ( Hof-2000 ), which has been variously known as the magnocellular preoptic nucleus, the nucleus of the horizontal limb of the diagonal band, and the magnocellular nucleus of the pallidum ( Swanson-2004 ).

Also known as: basal nucleus, Nucleus basalis, basal nucleus of Meynert, Nucleus basalis (Meynert), basal nuclei of Meynert, basal magnocellular nucleus (substantia innominata), ganglion of Meynert, nucleus of substantia innominata, Nucleus basalis Meynert, nucleus basalis of Meynert, basal forebrain nucleus, basal magnocellular nucleus, magnocellular preoptic nucleus, magnocellular nucleus of the pallidum, nucleus of the horizontal limb of the diagonal band (Price-Powell), magnocellular basal complex, magnocellular basal forebrain

NeuroNames ID: 275

All Names & Sources

Showing 25 synonym(s)

Language
Name
Source
English
basal forebrain nucleus
English
basal magnocellular nucleus
English
basal magnocellular nucleus (substantia innominata)
English
basal nuclei of Meynert
English
basal nucleus
English
basal nucleus
English
basal nucleus of Meynert
English
basal nucleus of Meynert
English
ganglion of Meynert
English
magnocellular basal complex
English
magnocellular basal forebrain
English
magnocellular nucleus of the pallidum
English
magnocellular preoptic nucleus
English
nucleus basalis of Meynert
English
nucleus of substantia innominata
English
nucleus of the horizontal limb of the diagonal band (Price-Powell)
Species With The Structure
Equivalent By Human Macaque Rat Mouse
Topology Has The Structure Has The Structure Has The Structure Has The Structure

Showing 13 record(s)

Basis
Has Equivalent
Organism
Their Name
Source
Topology
Yes
basal magnocellular nucleus (substantia innominata)
Topology
Yes
basal nuclei of Meynert
Topology
Yes
basal nucleus of Meynert
Topology
Yes
basal nucleus of Meynert
Topology
Yes
ganglion of Meynert
Topology
Yes
Nucleus basalis (Meynert)
Topology
Yes
Nucleus basalis Meynert
Topology
Yes
nucleus basalis of Meynert
Topology
Yes
nucleus of substantia innominata
Topology
Yes
basal nucleus
Topology
Yes
magnocellular preoptic nucleus
Models Where It Appears
Structural CNS Model - Macaque

Brain structures of the macaque are illustrated in BrainInfo’s NeuroMaps macaque brain atlas. Structures are grouped by proximity in a hierarchy corresponding to the central nervous system hierarchy of NeuroNames ( Bowden-1995 Martin-2000 ). Structures in the NeuroMaps atlas are based on the segmentation of an MRI of the brain of a 3-year old male rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta). The atlas is most useful for targeting structures for implantating electrodes and chemtrodes. Updated 29 Oct 2025.

Functional CNS Model - Rat

The Functional CNS Model - Rat (FMrat) ( Swanson-2004) is one of three hierarchical models representing the internal organization of the central nervous system (CNS). The others are the Structural CNS Model - Human (SThmn) and the Functional CNS Model - Human (FMhmn). The FMrat model represents the basic organization of the mouse ( Hof-2000 AMBA-2024 ) and, presumably, other rodents. Functional CNS models differ from structural models in that structures are defined and named by connectivity rather than by proximity to other structures at the same level. Functional models are more useful for representing longitudinal components of are grouped based on information drawn from multiple neuroscientific disciplines. such as connections, neurochemical characteristics, and role in physiogical and behavioral processes. While the Functional Model was developed primarily for an atlas of the rat brain ( Swanson-2004 ), the hierarchical organization of structures is for the most part applicable to the human, macaque, mouse and other mammalian brains as well. Structures at lower levels of the Functional CNS hierarchy are largely the same as in the Classical and Developmental Models, i.e., they were originally identified by stains for gray matter (Nissl substance) and white matter (myelin). At the next higher level they are grouped into basic connectional and functional systems of the CNS, such as the subcortical sensory systems, the brainstem motor system and the behavioral state system. At the highest levels CNS structures are grouped on the basis of dissection and embryologic precursors into cerebrum ( cerebral cortex and cerebral nuclei ), cerebellum, and cerebrospinal trunk.