Pars compacta

Pars compacta
Details
Part ofsubstantia nigra
Identifiers
Latinpars compacta substantiae nigrae
Acronym(s)SNpc, SNc
MeSHD065842
NeuroLex IDbirnlex_990
TA98A14.1.06.112
TA25882
FMA62907
Anatomical terms of neuroanatomy

The pars compacta (SNpc, SNc) is one of two subdivisions of the substantia nigra of the midbrain (the other being the pars reticulata); it is situated medial to the pars reticulata. It is formed by dopaminergic neurons. It projects to the striatum and portions of the cerebral cortex. It is functionally involved in fine motor control.

Parkinson's disease is characterized by the death of dopaminergic neurons in this region.