Cerebellar Efferent Pathways

Flashcards reviewing the various cerebellar efferent pathways and their functions.

Dentothalamic pathway

Pathway by which the dentate nucleus can influence motor activity by acting on the motor neurons of the opposite cerebral cortex.

Same side

The dentate nucleus coordinates muscle activity on this side of the body due to the crossing of corticospinal tract fibers.

Fastigial vestibular pathway

Pathway where axons of neurons in the fastigial nucleus travel through the inferior cerebellar peduncle and project onto neurons of the lateral vestibular nucleus on both sides.

Ipsilateral

The fastigial nucleus exerts a facilitatory influence mainly on this side of the body's extensor muscle tone.

Fastigial reticular pathway

Pathway where axons of neurons in the fastigial nucleus travel through the inferior cerebellar peduncle and synapse with neurons of the reticular formation.

Purkinje cells

The entire output of the cerebellar cortex is through the axons of these cells.

Cerebellar nuclei

The axons of the neurons that form these constitute the efferent outflow from the cerebellum.

Globose-emboliform-rubral pathway

Pathway where axons of neurons in the globose and emboliform nuclei travel through the superior cerebellar peduncle and cross the midline to the opposite side in the decussation of the superior cerebellar peduncles.

Same side

The globose and emboliform nuclei influence motor activity on this side of the body.

Dentothalamic pathway

Pathway where axons of neurons in the dentate nucleus travel through the superior cerebellar peduncle and cross the midline to the opposite side in the decussation of the superior cerebellar peduncle.