Cerebellum Flashcards
What is the function of the cerebellum?
Maintenance of balance, posture, and coordination
Describe the flow of information to and from the cerebellum.
The cerebellum receives information from the pons and sends it to the thalamus and the brainstem
What is an important thing about the cerebellum and movement?
The cerebellum DOES NOT direct any movement
What does “cerebellum” mean?
“Little brain”
What is the function of the smaller sulci and gyri in the cerebellum?
To create more surface area
What are the three cerebellar lobes and where are they located?
- Flocculonodular lobe - underneath the posterior lobe
- Anterior lobe - superior
- Middle/posterior lobe
Where does the vermis lie?
In the middle of the cerebellum
What directs the input and output to and from the vermis?
Input - spinocerebellar pathways
Output - fastigial nucleus
What is the function of the vermis?
Keeps us from falling over
What are the four types cerebellar nuclei?
- Fastigial - located most medially
- Emboliform
- Globose
- Dentate - largest
What two types of cerebellar nuclei are interposed nuclei?
Emboliform and globose
What is the function of cerebellar nuclei?
Collection of cell bodies that take inputs and send outputs
What are the three types of cerebellar peduncles and what types of information do they carry?
- Inferior - sensory (afferent fibers)
- Middle - sensory (afferent fibers)
- Superior - motor and sensory (afferent and efferent fibers)
What are the three cell layers of the cerebellum?
- Molecular layer
- Purkinje cell layer
- Granule cell layer
What are the five neuronal cell types and what type of information do they transmit?
- Purkinje cells - INHIBITORY
- Granule cells - EXCITATORY - bifurcate and form the parallel fibers
- Basket cells - INHIBITORY
- Stellate cells - INHIBITORY
- Golgi cells - EXCITATORY
Which neuronal cell has the only output cells to the cerebellar cortex?
Purkinje
What is the cerebellar glomerulus formed by?
Golgi cells axons, granular cell dendrites, and mossy fibers
What are the four types of cerebellar cellular fibers and what type of information do they transmit?
- Mossy fibers - excitatory
- Climbing fibers - excitatory
- Parallel fibers
- Aminergic fibers
What is the function of the climbing fibers?
Convey error signals
What are the three divisions of cerebellum and what do they connect?
- Vestibulocerebellum - vestibular system to the cerebellum
- Spinocerebellum - spinal cord to cerebellum
- Cerebrocerebellum - cerebral cortex to the cerebellum
What is the function of the vestibulocerebellum?
Regulates equilibrium and balance
What is the function of the spinocerebellum?
Regulates gross limb movements
What is the function of the cerebrocerebellum?
Regulates distal limb voluntary movements
What are the three cerebellar arteries?
- Superior cerebellar artery (SCA)
- Anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA)
- Posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA)
