Cerebellum

Question 1

Cerebellum

Answer 1

The sober “little brain”
Primary function to evaluate how well movements initiated by the cerebrum are carried out (coordination of skilled movements).
Feedback signals correct errors, smooth movements, coordinate complex motor sequences.
10% of brain mass, over half of the neurons

Question 2

What separates the cerebellum from the cerebrum?

Answer 2

Transverse fissure

Tentorium cerebelli

Question 3

Vermis

Answer 3

The “worm” portion of the cerebellar butterfly

Question 4

Lobes of the cerebellulm

Answer 4

The “wings’
Anterior lobes
Posterior lobes
Flocculonodular lobes

Question 5

Anterior lobe of the cerebellum

Answer 5

Involved in unconscious proprioception (spinothalamic tract)

Question 6

Posterior lobe of the cerebellum

Answer 6

Involved in the fine tuning of movement associated with subconscious movement.

Question 7

Flocculonodular lobe

Answer 7

Cerebellum

Involved in equilibrium and balance (specifically with eyes)

Question 8

Cerebellar cortex

Answer 8

Bulk of cerebellar mass
Superficial layer
Grey matter in a series of parallel folds (folia)

Question 9

Layers of the cerebelllum

Answer 9

Cerebellar cortex (grey matter)
Arbor vitae (white matter)
Cerebellar nuclei (grey matter that give rise to axons carrying impulses from the cerebellum to the other brain centres)

Question 10

Cerebellar Peduncles

Answer 10

Bundles of white matter that attach cerebellum to brain stem

3 pairs: superior, middle and inferior

Question 11

Superior penduncles

Answer 11

Cerebellum

Connect cerebellum to red nuclei (midbrain) and thalamus

Question 12

Middle peduncles

Answer 12

Cerebellum
Largest peduncles
Axons carry impulses for voluntary movements from pontine nuclei (which received input from motor cortex) into cerebellum

Question 13

Inferior peduncles

Answer 13

Cerebellum
Five tracts:
1. spinocerebellar (from proprioceptors of limbs and trunk)
2. from vestibular apparatus of inner ear and vestibular nuclei of medulla and pons(from sensory receptors of head)
3. from inferior olivary nucleus (regular cerebellar neurons)
4. cerebellum to vestibular nuclei of medulla and pons
5. cerebellum to reticular formation

Question 14

Ataxia

Answer 14

Inability to coordinate movements

Often the result of damage to the cerebellum