Cerebellum and Motor Control Flashcards
what does cerebellum mean?
“little brain”
what similarities does the cerebellum share with the cerebrum?
- Two hemispheres
- Outer cortical layer of gray matter
(cerebellar cortex) and inner region
of white matter and subcortical nuclei (deep cerebellar nuclei)
does the cerebrum or cerebellum contain more neurons?
the cerebellum has 4x as many neurons as the cerebrum
True or false: efferents project directly
to local circuits or LMNs?
false
is the cerebellum responsible for initiating movement?
no
how does the cerebellum primarily operate?
by modifying the activity of UMNs
how does the cerebellum modify the activity of UMNs?
Adjusts the motor activity of
the descending pathways to
make movements more accurate
list the cortical layers of the cerebellum from deepest to most superficial
granule - purkinje - molecular
what is the deep lateral nucleus of the cerebellum?
dentate nucleus
what are the 3 medial nuclei of the deep cerebellum?
2 interposed nuclei
1 fastigial nucleus
what is the honorary nucleus of the deep cerebellum?
vestibular nuclei
does the cerebellum have a homunculus?
yes
what is the somatotopic organization of the cerebellum?
- Axial muscles represented more centrally
- Distal muscles represented more laterally
what are the functional divisions of the cerebellum?
- Vestibulocerebellum
- spinocerebellum
- cerebrocerebellum
what is the function of the vestibulocerebellum?
postural control
what is the function of the spinocerebellum?
gross movements of the trunk and limbs
what is the function of the cerebrocerebellum?
fine motor voluntary movements
what are the cerebellar preduncles?
Connections between cerebellum and other
parts of the CNS
is the superior preduncle efferent or afferent?
exclusively efferent
is the middle preduncle efferent or afferent?
exclusively afferent
is the inferior preduncle efferent or afferent?
both
where do efferents from the superior preduncle go to?
thalamus and superior colliculus