Cerebellum

Question 1

T/F - the cerebellum controls the same side of the body

Answer 1

True

Question 2

What are the three main divisions of the cerebellum?

Answer 2

Vermis and intermediate hemispheres (Spinocerebellum)

Lateral hemispheres (Cerebrocerebellum)

Flocculondular lobe (vestibulocerebellum)

Question 3

What are the purkinje cells?

Answer 3

Receive lots of sensory information from the mossy fibres and climbing - lots of synapses

Excitatory output so they create and refine movement - also have inhibitory output

Question 4

What is the granular layer?

Answer 4

Contains mossy fibres (axons)

1 mossy cell stimulates 1000s of purkinje fibres

Question 5

What is the function of the cerebellum?

Answer 5

Coordination of movement, balance, posture and learning/ regulation of movement and cognitive functions

Question 6

What is the dorsal spinocerebellar tract for?

Answer 6

Goes from spine to cerebellum

Carries info on muscle spindles, GTO of the trunk and lower limb

Question 7

What is the ventral spinocerebellar tract for?

Answer 7

Info about muscles and joints in the trunk, upper and lower limbs also from skin

Question 8

What is the ventral flocculondodular lobe for?

Answer 8

Input from vestibular system and vision. Controls trunk muscles for balance. Damage leads to ataxic gait, wide stance and nystagmus

Question 9

Nystagmus and ataxic gate are because of damage to what part of the brain?

Answer 9

Flocculondodular lobe

Question 10

What are the vermis and intermediate hemispheres responsible for?

Answer 10

Receive proprioceptive and cutaneous information from the spinal cord via spinocerebellar tracts

Receives visual, vestibular and auditory information

Question 11

What is the spinocerebellum responsible for?

Answer 11

Control of execution of movement, correction of deviation by comparing with intended actual movement, regulation of tone

Question 12

What are the lateral hemispheres responsible for?

Answer 12

Motor and non motor functions

Planning and preparation of movement, timing of movement

Receives input from cerebral cortex - sensory, motor, premotor (planning of movement)

Question 13

What are the non motor functions of the cerebellum?

Answer 13

Cognition, thinking about performing a movement, learning, timing and perception of movement

Question 14

Name 4 conditions which cause damage to the cerebellum

Answer 14

Stroke, MS, trauma, alcoholism

Question 15

What does trauma to the vermis and flocculonodular lobe result in?

Answer 15

Balance disturbance, unsteady standing, walking and sitting

Ataxia
Broad gait
Tremor
Dysmetria - overshooting
Failure to perform rapid alternating movements

Question 16

What does trauma to the intermediate and lateral hemispherespheres result in?

Answer 16

Loss of fine movements, ataxia of limbs and unsteady gait, dysmetria, rebound phenomenon, failure to perform rapid movements

Question 17

How do you test cerebellum damage?

Answer 17

Finger to nose test

Question 18

What can physios do for cerebellum damage causing ataxia?

Answer 18

Gait training
Balance training
Bracing

Question 19

What are the signs and symptoms of cerebellum dysfunction?

Answer 19

Dysarthria (words)
Dysdiadochokinesia (Rapidly changing movements)
Dysmetria (Cannot judge distance or ROM)
Hypertonia (High tone)