731 Foundational Anatomy: The Brainstem & Cerebellum

components of the brainstem

• midbrain

• pons

• medulla oblongata

midbrain function

vision, hearing, motor control, sleep/wake, arousal, and temperature regulation

pons function

relays signals between the forebrain and the cerebellum involved in sleep, respiration, swallowing, bladder control, hearing, equilibrium, taste, eye movement, facial expressions, posture

medulla oblongata function

regulates vital functions such as heart rate, respiration, blood pressure

what is the reticular formation in the brainstem

a network of neurons and fibers in the brainstem

what is the function of the reticular formation in the brainstem

regulation of consciousness, arousal, and attention

cerebellum

A critical part of the brain involved in coordinating voluntary movements, balance, and motor learning. It ensures smooth and balanced muscular activity and plays a key role in motor skills acquisition

cerebral hemispheres in the cerebellum location

lateral portions of the cerebellum

cerebral hemispheres structure

divided into anterior, posterior, and flocculondular lobes

vermis in the cerebellum location

midline of the cerebellum

vermis in the cerebellum structure

narrow worm like band

cerebellar cortex in the cerebellum location

outer layer of the cerebellum

cerebellar cortex in the cerebellum structure

contains Perkinje cells, granule cells, and molecular layer

functional divisions of the cerebellum

• vestibulocerebellum

• spinocerebellum

• cerebrocerebellum

vestibulocerebellum

located in the flocculonodular lobe and is responsible for balance and eye movements

spinocerebellum

located in the vermis and intermediate zone and is responsible for regulating muscle tone and coordination of skilled voluntary movement

cerebrocerebellum

located in the lateral hemispheres and is responsible for planning and initiation of voluntary activity

motor coordination of the cerebellum

ensures smooth, accurate, and coordinated movements and fine-tunes motor activities

balance of the cerebellum

maintains posture and equilibrium; integrates sensory input from vestibular, visual, and proprioceptive systems

motor learning of the cerebellum

acquisition and refinement of new motor skills and involves practice and repetition