The substantia innominata, also innominate substance or substantia innominata of Meynert (Latin for unnamed substance), is a series of layers in the human brain consisting partly of gray and partly of white matter, which lies below the anterior part of the thalamus and lentiform nucleus. It is included as part of the anterior perforated substance (as it appears to be perforated by many holes which are actually blood vessels). It is part of the basal forebrain structures and includes the nucleus basalis. A portion of the substantia innominata, below the globus pallidus is considered as part of the extended amygdala.

Layers

It consists of three layers, superior, middle, and inferior.

Striatopallidal system

In the late 20th century following improved imaging by staining it was reclassified as part of the striatopallidal system, which is made up of the dorsal striatum and dorsal pallidum, and the ventral striatum and ventral pallidum.