Cerebellum Anatomy and Function

Flashcards covering the anatomy, function, and pathways of the cerebellum.

Where does the cerebellum sit?

Within the posterior cranial fossa of the skull.

What dural septa anatomically separates the cerebellum from the cerebrum?

The tentorium cerebelli.

What are folia?

Folds on the cerebellum designed to increase surface area.

What is the outer gray matter of the cerebellum made of?

Unmyelinated cell bodies or dendrites.

What is the arbor vitae?

The tree of life in the center of the cerebellum, comprised of myelinated axons connecting the cerebellum to the brainstem.

Name the two fissures that separate the cerebellum into structural lobes.

Primary fissure and posterior lateral fissure.

Name the three lobes of the cerebellum.

Flocculonodular lobe, posterior lobe, and anterior lobe.

What are the 4 main functions of the cerebellum?

Balance and equilibrium, muscle tone, coordination, and motor learning.

Which part of the body connects to the cerebellum for balance and equilibrium?

The inner ear.

How does that cerebellum receive muscle tone information?

From proprioceptors, Golgi tendon organs, muscle spindles, and joint capsules.

What information does the cerebellar cortex receive?

Information from the inner ear, proprioceptors, and motor plans.

What is the functional name of the anterior lobe?

Spinocerebellum.

What is the functional name of the posterior lobe?

Cerebrocerebellum.

What is the functional name of the flocculonodular lobe?

Vestibular cerebellum.

What areas does the spinocerebellum occupy?

The vermal and paravermal (intermediate) zones.

Which part of the body is the vermal area of the spinocerebellum mainly for?

The axial part of our skeleton or axial musculature (trunk, neck, and head).

From which part of the body does the paravermal area of the anterior lobe gather sensory information?

The upper and lower extremities and certain aspects of the lateral head.

Where is the posterior lobe mainly located?

In the lateral hemispheres.

What type of information does the vestibular cerebellum pick up?

Information from the vestibular system.

Don't Eat Greasy Food is used to remember…

The deep cerebellar nuclei (Dentate, Emboliform, Globose, and Fastigial).

Where is the dentate nucleus located?

In the lateral hemisphere.

Where is the interposed nucleus located?

In the vermal and paravermal areas.

Where is the fastigial nucleus?

In the flocculonodular lobe and the vermis.

What are the three components of the cerebellar cortex, from superficial to deep?

Molecular, Purkinje, Granular

What is neural sharpening?

Is making sure that the most important stimulus is taken care of at that point in time, important in internal circuitry.

What is the role of the inferior olives?

Send axons directly to the deep cerebellar nuclei, releasing aspartate.

What is the function of Purkinje fibers?

Inhibit signals to control overshooting and undershooting of movement.

What neurotransmitter do Purkinje fibers release?

GABA

What are climbing fibers?

Fibers that connect from the inferior olive, sending information to the deep cerebellar nuclei.

What do mossy fibers stimulate?

The deep cerebellar nuclei, by releasing glutamate.

What is a glomeruli?

Structure where you have multiple granule cells and axons of the mossy fibers connecting.

What do Golgi cells do?

Inhibit granule cells.

The superior cerebellar peduncles connects to the…

Dentate nucleus.

The cerebral and what other area coordinate to the pontine nuclei?

The basal ganglia