Cerebellum

Question 1

Function of the cerebellum?

Answer 1

“Fine control” of motor co-ordination

Question 2

What are the lobes of the cerebellum

Answer 2

the anterior lobe, the posterior lobe and the flocculonodular lobe.

Question 3

What is the cerebellum anatomy

Answer 3

Fourth ventricle between cerebellum and brainstem

Connected to brainstem by cerebellar peduncles
3 bilateral pairs:

Superior (to midbrain): mostly efferent to thalamus and extrapyramidal nuclei

Middle (to pons): afferent corticopontocerebellar tracts from sensory and motor cortices

Inferior (to medulla oblongata): mostly afferent spinal sensory information, vestibular efferents

Question 4

Explain what each lobe of the cerebellum is

Answer 4

Anterior lobe (paleocerebellum):
Proprioception – sensory input from spine
Damage tends to balance and gait deficits

Posterior lobe (neocerebellum):
Motor planning & fine co-ordination
Damage tends to movement errors, gait, balance, tremor

Flocculonodular lobe (archicerebellum, vestibulocerebellum):
Balance, vestibular movement (head, eyes)
Damage tends to loss of balance, nystagmus, vertigo
Connections with vestibular nuclei

Question 5

Vermis and Hemispheres

Answer 5

Spinocerebellum:
Vermis & intermediate hemispheres
Mostly control of trunk (head, neck, abdomen, etc.)
Many sensory afferents from spine
Efferents to extrapyramidal motor tracts via fastigial and interposed nuclei

Cerebrocerebellum:
Lateral hemispheres
Motor planning and co-ordination for limbs
Afferents corticopontocerebellar
Efferents to thalamus via dentate nucleus

Vestibulocerebellum

Question 6

What is the cerebellar loop?

Question 7

What is a test that test for cerebellar?

Answer 7

• Can show an issue with proprioception
• Can show an issue with lack of coordination with muscle groups.

Question 8

What are two main issues with the cerebellar that occur ?

Answer 8

Cerebellar ataxia
Generally caused by damage to cerebellum or cerebellar-thalamic pathways
Loss of balance, gait, swallowing, speaking, vision, high co-ordination tasks
Ipsilateral to side of damage

Essential tremor
Rhythmic 4-12Hz tremor during exertion (or posture)
Often associated with cerebellar or thalamic-cerebellar pathway damage
Causes: genetic, damage, alcohol abuse

Hypoplasia in Down’s Syndrome – motor impairment

Cerebellum be affected by general neuropathies (Alzheimer’s, etc.)

Question 9

Is damage to the cerebellum collateral or ipsilateral?

Answer 9

Ipsilateral to side of damage