Final (Cerebellum)

Question 1

What are mossy fibers?

Answer 1

Mossy fibers originate from various sources, including the pontine nuclei, spinal cord, and vestibular system. They carry sensory and motor information to the cerebellum.

Question 2

What is the pontine nucleus?

Answer 2

A relay station located in the pons (Receives input from the cerebral cortex, and sends this information to the cerebellum via mossy fibers)

Question 3

What are granule cells?

Answer 3

They receive excitatory input from mossy fibers and send signals to Purkinje cells.

Question 4

What are Purkinje cells?

Answer 4

They are the primary output neurons of the cerebellar cortex. Receive input from parallel fibers (granule cells) and climbing fibers (inferior olive)

Question 5

What are climbing fibers?

Answer 5

They carry “error signals” related to motor learning and coordination

Question 6

What are the deep cerebellar nuclei?

Answer 6

They serve as the primary output structures of the cerebellum. (Receive inhibitory input from Purkinje cells.) (Receive excitatory input from mossy fibers and climbing fibers directly.)