cerebellum - subunit 1 Flashcards
unit 3 in the course
What does the term ‘Cerebellum’ mean?
Means ‘small brain’
The cerebellum is often referred to as the ‘little brain’ due to its size relative to the rest of the brain.
What are the three main lobes of the cerebellum?
- Anterior
- Flocculonodular
- Posterior
What is the primary cell type in the cerebellum that projects information out?
Purkinje cells
Purkinje cells are the only efferent neurons in the cerebellum, meaning they send information away from the cerebellum.
What are the three cerebellar peduncles and their main connections?
- Superior: axonal connections to midbrain + pons
- Middle: axonal connection to pons
- Inferior: axonal connections to pons and medulla
What is the function of the Dentate nucleus?
Connections with thalamus, olive, cortex
The Dentate nucleus is involved in motor planning.
List the primary known functions of the cerebellum.
- Motor planning
- Motor learning
- Motor control
- Control of posture and balance
- Coordination of smooth voluntary movements
- Vision & vestibular
- Speech
- Mood
- Cognition
What are the inputs to the Spinocerebellum?
- Spinocerebellar tract
- Dorsal column medial lemniscus tract
- Trigeminal nerve nuclei
Fill in the blank: The _______ influences vestibulospinal tract and is involved in balance and postural control.
Vestibulocerebellum
What vascular supply arteries feed the cerebellum?
- Superior cerebellar artery (SCA)
- Anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA)
- Posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA)
What is a common clinical sign of cerebellar disorders?
Ataxia
Ataxia refers to a lack of voluntary coordination of muscle movements.
True or False: Dysmetria is characterized by the improper distance, speed and power of movement.
True
overshooting vs under shooting…how is this different from dysdiadochokinsia
What are the common clinical disorders associated with cerebellar lesions?
- Spinocerebellar ataxia
- Friedrich’s ataxia
- Ataxia with oculomotor apraxia (AOA type I and II)
- Cerebellar hypoplasia
What are the symptoms of dysdiadochokinesia?
Inability to perform rapid alternating movements
What deficits are commonly associated with the flocculonodular lobe?
- Nystagmus at rest
- Gaze holding deficits
- VOR cancellation deficits
What is a key feature of cerebellar ataxia in limb coordination?
Will be ipsilateral to lesion
The pathway crosses at the superior cerebellar peduncle and again at the medullary pyramids.
What does the acronym SARA stand for?
Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia
What is the role of the cerebrocerebellum?
Motor planning of extremities
It influences the corticospinal tract.
Fill in the blank: The cerebellum integrates balance through three systems: vestibular, vision, and _______.
proprioception
What is the primary clinical test for assessing coordination in cerebellar function?
Finger to nose test
What is the primary function of the Fastigial nucleus?
Connections with thalamus, spinal cord, vestibular organ
The Fastigial nucleus is involved in balance and eye movement.
What is the difference between cerebellar and basal ganglia tremors?
- Cerebellar: Intention tremor (worsens with movement)
- Basal ganglia: Resting tremor (worsens at rest)
