Cerebellum Terms and Definitions for Biology Study

cerebellum function

receives information

feedforward control of muscles contractions

augment performance

motor control (no direct connection to LMN)

motor learning

cognition and social interaction

folia

ridges of the cerebellum

folliculi connected to the midline structure are called

nodulus

tonsils

chiari malformation

can herniate out

cerebellar peduncles

white matter pathway connecting the cerebellum to the brainstem

how info enters/exits brainstem

vermis

midline of cerebellum

what are the 3 lobes of the cerebellar cortex?

anterior, posterior, flocculonodular

what are the 3 zones to the cerebellum?

vermal, immediate, lateral

vermal zone

mostly flocculonodular lobe

eye movements

axial muscles for balance and posture

intermediate zone

vermis, anterior, posterior lobe

neck, trunk, and limb control

adjustments during movements

lateral zone

mostly posterior zone (some anterior)

modulation of fine control and movement

force, direction, speed, amplitude

motor learning

cognition

superior cerebellar peduncle

mostly efferent

middle cerebellar peduncle

only afferent

inferior cerebellar peduncle

efferent and afferent

the PICA supplies

inferior posterior cerebellum

lateral medulla

inferior cerebellar peduncle

the AICA supplies

anterior and inferior portion of cerebellum

the SCA supplies

superior cerebellum (upper half)

arbor vitae

white matter of the cerebellum branching

what are the cerebellar cortex layers?

molecular, purkinje, granule

granule layer

granular cells: only excitatory cells in cerebellum

golgi cells: inhibitory feedback

purkinje cell layer

cell bodies of purkinje cells

only output cells of cerebellum

inhibitory GABA

molecular layer

parallel fibers from granule cells

stellate cells

basket cells

what are the 4 deep nuclei of the cerebellum?

fastigal

interposed

globose and emboliform

dentate

only OUTPUTs from the cerebellum

all input into the cerebellum is

EXCITATORY

via peduncles

mainly GLUTAMATE as NT

act on deep nuclei

all output from the cerebellum is

INHIBITORY

only through the purkinje cells

GABA as the NT

spinocerebellar tract

sensory feedback to inform motor control

unconscious proprioception

enters through the cerebellum, NOT THE THALAMUS

does the cerebellum have direct connections to the skeletal muscles?

nope

but exerts significant influence over motor output

vestibulo-cerebellar circuits

cerebellum is receiving info about the vestibular system and has influence over postural control

only input that bypasses deep cerebellar nuclei

spinal-cerebellar circuit

cerebellum is receiving information in real-time on motor actions and able to update those motor actions

cortical input into the cerebellum

cerebellum is receiving info on proprioception and motor command to provide updates motor plans

cerebellar motor dysfunction is

IPSILATERAL

motor information has a DOUBLE CROSS

cerebellar motor signs

ataxia

dysmetria

dysarthria

nystagmus

incoordination of the muscles of the eyes

dysdiadochokinesia

hypotonia

intention tremor/cerebellar tremor

ataxia

impaired coordination of voluntary movement

inaccuracy with speed, force, or distance of movements

dysmetria

overshooting targets

finger to nose exam

dysarthria

inability to articulate words clearly

slurred speech

nystagmus

rhythmic involuntary movements of eyes

can't maintain fixation on target

drift from target and then jump back with a corrective saccade

dysdiadochokinesia

inability to perform fast alternating movements

coordination of agonist/antagonist muscles

intention tremor/cerebellar tremor

low frequency with voluntary movements

worsens as limb approaches end point

NOT PRESENT AT REST

damage to flocculonodular lobe/vestibulocerebellum/vermal

gait ataxia

titubation

nystagmus

gait ataxia

wide unsteady gait (staggering)

truncal ataxia (unable to walk toe to heel)

titubation

tremor of the head or axial body