02_Cerebellum Flashcards
Why does electrical stimulation of the cerebellum not cause sensation and rarely cause movement?
like the basal ganglia, cerebellar neurons have no direct connections to spinal cord ventral horn motoneurons
From where and what type of input does the cerebellum receive?
-The cerebellum receives continuously updated information from the higher brain centers on the intended motor program. -It also receives continuous sensory information from several sensory modalities (vestibular and visual systems; peripheral muscle spindles and tendon organs) regarding actual movement including body position, rate of movement, muscle length and muscle force.
Cerebellar diseases and disorders (e.g. tumor, infarction, degeneration due to chronic alcoholism) produce what types of conditions (3 cardinal signs of cerebellar disease/disorder)?
-ataxia (incoordination of movements without paralysis) -hypotonia to passive stretch -intention tremors (loss of muscle synergy)
What are the four overall functions of the cerebellum?
-Compare actual and intended movements -Aid the cerebral cortex in planning sequential movements -Participate in the process of learning coordinated movements -Produce a synergy of movement
Cerebellar function (1 of 4) Comparing actual and intended movements-Description
Then when necessary, send appropriate corrective signals to the motor system to increase or decrease the levels of activation of specific muscle groups to make corrective movements.
Cerebellar function (2 of 4) Aid the cerebral cortex in planning sequential movements-Description
While a movement is on-going the next sequential movement is planned a fraction of a second in advance, thus enabling movements to progress smoothly.
Cerebellar function (3 of 4) Participate in the process of learning coordinated movements. -Description
If a movement error is made, the cerebellar circuitry “learns” to adjust its output to produce a stronger or weaker movement, as appropriate, the next time the movement is performed.
Cerebellar function (4 of 4) Produce a synergy of movement. -Description
To produce smooth, coordinated muscle activation.
Anatomy of Cerebellum: Anterior lobe
- Medial border is the vermis, - Separated from the posterior lobe by the Primary Fissure
Anatomy of Cerebellum: Posterior lobe
- Separated from the anterior lobe by the Primary Fissure - Separated from the Flocculonodular lobe by the Posterolateral Fissure
Anatomy of Cerebellum: Flocculonodular lobe
- Can be observed on the ventral surface of the cerebellum - consists of 2 Flocculi (flocculus is singular) and 1 nodulus - Separated from the posterior lobe by the Posterolateral Fissure
Cerebellar tonsils
These lie lateral to the nodulus and medial to the cerebellar peduncles.
Anatomy of Cerebellum: Deep Cerebellar Structures (Nuclei)
- Dentate – most lateral, projection neurons of the cerebrocerebellum 2. Globose and Emboliform (Interposed) Nuclei – intermediate, projection neurons of the spinocerebellum. 3. Fastigial Nucleus – medial, projection neurons of the vestibulocerebellum.
Anatomy of Cerebellum: Cerebellar White Matter Pathways
- Gross Structures (Peduncles) 2. Axons
Where is the major output pathway of the cerebellum located?
Superior Cerebellar Peduncle – mainly axons leaving the cerebellum, “output pathway”
Where is the major input pathway of the cerebellum located?
Middle Cerebellar Peduncle – mainly axons entering the cerebellum, “input pathway”
Where is the major input & output (combined) pathway of the cerebellum located?
Inferior Cerebellar Peduncle – mainly axons entering the cerebellum, “input pathway and output”
Describe the cortico-ponto-cerebellar tract
The ponto-cerebellar fibers originate from nuclei in the pons that receive input from the frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital lobes of the cerebral cortex. The enter the cerebellum via the middle cerebellar peduncle.
Describe the dorsal (posterior) spinocerebellar tract and ventral (anterior) spinocerebellar tract
a. Axons of the DSCT arising from cell bodies in the spinal cord (Clarke’s column) enter the cerebellum via the inferior peduncle. The spinal cord neurons receive input from peripheral proprioceptors in the trunk and lower extremities b. Axons arising from cell bodies in the spinal cord enter the cerebellum via the superior cerebellar peduncle.
Describe the spinocuneocerebellar tract and rostral spinocerebellar tract
a. Axons arise from neurons in the cuneate nuclei enter the cerebellum via the inferior cerebellar peduncle. Neurons in the cuneate nucleus receive input from peripheral proprioceptors in the upper trunk and upper extremities b. Axons arising from neurons in the cervical spinal cord enter the cerebellum via the inferior and superior cerebellar peduncles.
A subset of vestibular nerve axons enter the cerebellum via which peduncle?
inferior cerebellar peduncle
What are the input sources for climbing fibers?
cortex, basal ganglia, red nucleus and other extrapyramidal pathways