Cerebellum Flashcards
What is the cerebellum a component of?
Motor system
What are the major functions of the cerebellum
• Major functions – coordination of movement, motor planning, motor learning
How does the Cerebellum influence motor system?
Does not directly influence LMNs
Rather, indirectly influences UMN groups
• Damage results in movement disorders – problems with co-ordination of movement → ataxia
Damage on one side - eg. unilateral damage (stroke or tumour) would case ?
Unilateral damage (eg stroke, tumour) to cerebellum causes ipsilateral symptoms
The left cortex talks to the right cerebellum; But left cortex → right side of body
Compared to the basal ganglia in which unilateral damage will cause contralateral motor symptoms
There are also degenerative disorders of the cerebellum (slowly progressive, bilateral symptoms)
How does the cerebellum influence LMNS? Explain the pathway
Cerebellum -> thalamus -> cortex -> UMN (CST) -> LMN
OR cerebellum -> UMN - > LMN
Describe the principal cerebellar inputs (4)
- Cerebral cortex via pons (pontocerebellar fibers cross)
- Spinocerebellar (uncrossed or crossed twice) – proprioception from limbs
- Vestibulocerebellar (uncrossed, some crossed) – eyes, balance
- Inferior olivary nucleus (crossed)
What do the principal outputs allow the cerebellum to do?
Allows cerebellum to compare the motor plan (what we intent to do) with what the body is doing, makes adjustments (ongoing & repetitive movements)
Right side of cerebellum receives input concerned with the right side of the body
Cerebellum gets information on ongoing movement from the same side of the body
What are the major cerebellar outputs? (5)
- CC via the thalamus (crossed)
- Red nucleus (crossed) – to rubrospinal tract, —> upper limb flexors
- Reticular nuclei (bilateral) – control of voluntary movement
- Vestibular nuclei (bilateral) - CN III, IV & VI, vestibular nuclei
- Inferior olivary nucleus (crossed) - if lesion in inferior olivary nucleus it would seem like you have destroyed the cerebellum
- ie. GENERALLY right cerebellum sends outputs to parts of the brain associated with control of the right side of the body
What does the reticular nuclei control?
- Reticular nuclei (bilateral) – control of voluntary movement
What does the Red nucleus control?
- Red nucleus (crossed) – to rubrospinal tract, —> upper limb flexors
What does the vestibular nuclei control?
- Vestibular nuclei (bilateral) - CN III, IV & VI, vestibular nuclei
What does the inferior olivary nucleus control?
life?
What is the anatomy of the cerebellum?
It is located in the posterior cranial fossa
What separates the cerebellum from the occipital and temporal lobes?
TENTORIUM CEREBELLI
What does the cerebellum form the roof of?
the fourth ventricle
What are the lobes of the cerebellum?
ANT
PoST
FLOCULONODULAR
Where is the tonsil located? What would happen if there was an expanding mass inthe cerebellum?
xpanding mash in cerebellum will push tonsil towards medulla & s/c
Tonsilar herniation through foramen magnum
This would compress the junction between the medulla & spinal cord
Interferes with CV & respiratory centres – can be fatal