The striatum consists of the caudate nucleus and the putamen, and is the main input station for the basal ganglia. Functionally, the striatum is involved in planning, modulation of movement pathways, and cognitive processes involving executive function. It is activated by rewarding, aversive, novel, unexpected, and intense stimuli.
Mnemonic:
The word “striatum” sounds a little like “strategy”, which involves planning, coordination of movements, and execution. Additionally, the verb “to striate” means “to furrow”, which might remind you of trench warfare, which again involves stategists to plan things out, soldiers to make the movements, and generals and such to be executive officers.