The cortical projection areas of thalamic neurons with basal ganglia and/or cerebellar inputs were studied electrophysiologically in unanesthetized monkeys. Thalamic neurons which receive inhibition from the pallidum were found to project to the motor cortex (area 4) as well as to premotor cortex. The neurons with pallidal input and motor cortical projection were located mainly in VLo. This result indicates that the basal ganglia innervate the motor cortex through the thalamus. Thus the basal ganglia can modify the cortical output for controlling movements directly through this pathway as compared with its influence through the prefrontal and premotor cortices. © 1988 Springer-Verlag.