11/18 Cerebellum Lecture Flashcards
THE CEREBELLUM ACTS AS A
_____ .
COMPARATOR,
middle management
The cerebellum takes the command from the cerebral cortex and makes the fine adjustments needed for efficient motor function.
The cerebral cortex gives the command to initiate voluntary movement.
But, it doesn’t give any particular guidance on how to make the movement smooth and coordinated.
This is where the cerebellum comes in.
Neurons in the ____ carry proprioceptive information from the ____ via several different pathways to the cerebellum.
Neurons in the DRG carry proprioceptive information from the Muscle via several different pathways to the cerebellum.
The Pathway
The cerebral cortex sends a message to motor neurons in the spinal cord. These innervate the muscle and it contracts.
There is a parallel pathway from the cortex to the cerebellum. This is not a direct pathway and involves relays in the Basilar Pons.
Now the cerebellum knows what the cortex is planning.
It needs some additional information, however, before making adjustments.
It needs to know something about where the body is in space, as well as the status of the muscles at an instant in time (i.e., proprioceptive information).
Neurons in the dorsal root ganglia carry proprioceptive information from the muscle via several different pathways to the cerebellum.
Now the cerebellum can compare the command from the cortex with the current status of the muscle.
The output of the cerebellum is to brainstem nuclei that project to the spinal cord to adjust the activity of motor neurons as necessary.
As middle management, the cerebellum also projects back to the cortex in another indirect route.
The output of the cerebellum is to _____ that project to the _____ to adjust the activity of motor neurons as necessary.
The output of the cerebellum is to Brainstem Nuclei that project to the Spinal Cord to adjust the activity of motor neurons as necessary.
FUNCTION OF THE CEREBELLUM:
Cerebellum receives sensory information from ____ in muscles and joints and other nuclei in the ____ which provide information about the state of contraction of the individual muscles or the position of the body in space.
Uses this information to do 6 things….
Cerebellum receives sensory information from proprioceptors in muscles and joints and other nuclei in the brainstem which provides information about the state of contraction of the individual muscles or the position of the body in space.
Uses this information to:
- Control posture & balance
- Coordinate sequential movements.
- Coordinate rapidly alternating movements (Diadocokinesis).
- Regulate Reflexes
- Involved in motor learning
- Plays a role in higher cognitive functions (e.g., attention, planning movements).
Dysmetria
Inability to fix the range of movement in muscular activity.
Movements are made with more force than necessary.
Ataxia
Inability to coordinate movement
Intention Tremor
A tremor that gets worse when a person is moving.
Diadocokinesis
the normal ability to perform rapidly alternating muscular movements, such as flexion and extension.
The Cerebellum controls posture & balance through connections with ______ .
the vestibular system
the cerebellum has several functions …..
It controls posture and balance through connections with the vestibular system.
One function of the cerebellum is controlling eye movements.
Executing Complex, Smooth Pursuit Eye Movements
It is essential for performing sequential movement, such as reaching out for something requiring contraction of shoulder, elbow, wrist, and digital muscles in a specific sequence.
Several terms are applied when movement is not smooth:
Dysmetria means the range of movements is not properly set. Movements may be made very fast, or with more force than necessary.
Ataxia is the inability coordinate movement.
With cerebellar lesions, there may be an Intention Tremor as the limb moves back and forth trying to home in on a target.
The cerebellum is essential for performing alternating movements like using a screwdriver or opening a door.
It regulates reflexes.
In primates, in particular, it is involved in motor learning. The first time you ride a bike you may be very clumsy, but ultimately you become very smooth and coordinated. That’s because there are circuits that allow the cerebellum to learn and become more efficient.
Finally, it plays a role in higher cognitive functioning, such as attending to our environment or in planning movements.
Cerebellar lesion that effects the eye:
Saccadic overshoot
Dysmetria
Saccadic overshoot
Dysmetria
Cerebellar lesion effecting the eye
Execute Complex, Smooth Pursuit Eye Movements
One function of the cerebellum is controlling eye movements.
An example of an individual following a moving target with their eyes.
The object enters their field of view and the eyes follow it smoothly.
Then the target stops abruptly.
The normal response is for the eyes to continue in anticipation of the object continuing along its path.
Normally, the eyes will rapidly fixate on the now stationary target.
In individuals with a cerebellar lesion, the eyes overshoot in the opposite direction, and then come back and so forth until they ultimately land on the object.
This is an example of dysmetria in which the eyes move through a greater range of motion than necessary.
4 CEREBELLAR NUCLEI: WITHIN THE WHITE MATTER CORE OF CEREBELLUM
FASTIGIAL N.
DENTATE N.
The 2 INTERPOSED NUCLEI:
GLOBOSE N.
EMBOLIFORM N.
Cerebellar Peduncles
Details
Cerebellar Peduncles (Inferior, Middle, Superior) = Fiber tracts that connect cerebellum to brainstem.
They are made up of:
- Axons entering the cerebellum that originate in the spinal cord or other parts of the brainstem (e.g., medulla, pons). These axons will terminate in the cerebellar nuclei and cerebellar cortex.
- Axons leaving the cerebellum that originate in one of the cerebellar nuclei. These are destined for brainstem targets.
Middle Cerebellar Peduncle
Only carries information TO cerebellum.
MCP connects the pons to the cerebellum.
Largest peduncle.
Exclusively an input pathway.
Pathway crosses in the pons.
Inferior Cerebellar Peduncle
Mostly carries information TO cerebellum.
Carries some info from the cerebellum
ICP connects the spinal cord & medulla to the cerebellum.
Mainly an input pathway.
Superior Cerebellar Peduncle
Mostly carries information FROM cerebellum.
Carries some info to the cerebellum.
SCP connects the cerebellum to the brainstem and diencephalon.
Axons leaving the cerebellum cross in the midbrain.
Major output pathway from the cerebellum to the brainstem.
The Largest Peduncle
Middle Cerebellar Peduncle
The smallest of the peduncles is the _____ .
inferior cerebellar peduncle (ICP).
Major output pathway from the cerebellum to the brainstem?
Superior Cerebellar Peduncle
Connects the pons to the cerebellum.
Middle Cerebellar Peduncle
Mainly an input pathway.
Inferior Cerebellar Peduncle
Connects the spinal cord and medulla to the cerebellum.
Inferior Cerebellar Peduncle
CEREBELLAR PEDUNCLES:
Long Summary
The smallest of the peduncles is the inferior cerebellar peduncle (ICP).
It extends from the rostral medulla to the cerebellum.
This is a pathway that brings information into the cerebellum from the spinal cord and medulla.
It courses a bit inferior to the MCP.
The largest cerebellar peduncle is the middle cerebellar peduncle (MCP).
The middle cerebellar peduncle connects the pons and the cerebellum.
It also is an input pathway carrying axons from neurons in the basilar pons into the cerebellum.
The superior cerebellar peduncle arises from the rostral pole of the cerebellum and courses toward the midbrain.
This is the major output pathway of the cerebellum.
The major output pathway of the cerebellum.
superior cerebellar peduncle
CEREBELLAR CORTEX
The cerebellar cortex is highly infolded forming deep ridges. If it was completely unfolded it would extend up to 1 meter in length.
This clearly reflects the importance of this structure in brain function.
Primary fissure
Divides the cerebellum into Anterior and Posterior lobes.
Flocculonodular lobe
The most primitive part of the cerebellum.
very small lobe.
Rostral-Caudal Organization
Primary fissure: Divides the cerebellum into Anterior and Posterior lobes.
On the inferior view, a third very small lobe is defined as the Flocculonodular lobe; most primitive part of the cerebellum.
Prime example of a disabled cerebellum:
a drunk person
Vermis
Narrow midline portion that extends through all lobes.