#8. Cerebellum, Diencephalon, Cerebrum, limbic system Flashcards
Why does the cerebellum have a highly folded surface?
increases the surface area of its outer grey matter, allowing for a greater number of neurons
How much of the brain mass is the cerebellum?
1/10
What separates the cerebellum from the cerebrum?
the tentorium cerebelli and the transverse fissure
What is the vermis?
the constricted central part (the worm)
Do the cerebellar hemispheres have lobes?
yes. the lobes are separated by deep and distinct fissures.
What does the anterior lobe of the cerebellum do?
governs subconscious movement of skeletal muscles
What does the posterior lobe of the cerebellum do?
governs the subconscious movement of skeletal muscles
What are the names of the cerebellar lobes?
anterior lobe, posterior lobe and the flocculonodular lobe
What is the flocculonodular lobe involved in?
equilibrium
What is the cerebellar cortex?
- superficial layer of the cortex
- consists of grey matter in a series of folia
What is folia?
it is grey matter in the cerebellar cortex that looks like leaves on a tree
What is arbor vitae?
it is white matter in the cerebellar cortex that looks like tree branches.
“tree of life”
Where are the cerebellar nuclei?
in the white matter
What do the cerebellar peduncles do and what are they made of?
the attach the cerebellum to the brain stem and they are bundles of white matter tracts
What is in the superior cerebellar peduncles?
axons that extend from the cerebellum to the red nuclei of the midbrain and to several nuclei of the thalamus
Describe the middle cerebellar peduncles
- largest
- axons carry impulses for voluntary movements from pontine nucleus to the cerebellum
What are the 5 different types of axons in the inferior cerebellar peduncles?
- axons of spinocerebellar tracts that carry sensory information from proprioceptors in the trunk and limbs
- axons from vestibular apparatus of inner ear and from vestibular nuclei of medulla and pons. Carry sensory info from proprioceptors in head
- axons from the inferior olivary nucelus of medulla and enter cerebellum and regulate cerebellar neurons
- axons that extend from the cerebellum to the vestibular nuclei of medulla and pons
- axons that extend from cerebellum to reticular formation
What are the functions of the cerebellum?
- primary function of cerebellum is to evaluate how well mvmts initiated by the cerebrum are actually carried out
- if not carried out correctly, the cerebellum detects the discrepancy and sends feedback signals to the cerebral cortex
- the feedback signals help correct the errors, smooth the mvmts and coordinate complex sequences of skeletal mm contractions
- also regulates posture and balance
- very active in learning new skills
What is ataxia?
loss of ability to coordinate mm mvmts.
What are some signs of ataxia?
- changed speech pattern due to uncoordinated speech mm
- staggering or abnormal walking gait
What can cause ataxia?
defenerative diseases (MS, Parkinson’s), trauma, brain tumours, genetic factors, meds side effects, and alcohol
What is the primary purpose of the thalamus?
to relay almost all sensory input to the cerebral cortex.
What is the thalamus made of?
paired oval masses of grey matter organized into nuclei with interspersed tracts of white matter.
What is the intermediate mass?
- variable connection b/w the 2 thalamic masses across the third ventricle
- 70% of people have it.