Neuroanatomy- Basal Ganglia and Cerebellum

Question 1

What does the cerebellum control?

Answer 1

Movement

Question 2

What are the 3 lobes of the cerebellum?

Answer 2

Anterior lobe
Posterior lobe
Tiny flocculonodular lobe

Question 3

What covers the top of the cerebellum?

Answer 3

Tentorium cerebelli

Question 4

What is name of the 3 stalks that attach the cerebellum to the brainstem?

Answer 4

Peduncles

Question 5

What are the names of the 3 peduncles?

Answer 5

Superior, middle and inferior cerebellar peduncle

Question 6

What is the name given to the strip down the midline of the cerebellum?

Answer 6

Vermis

Question 7

What is the cerebellum also called?

Answer 7

The ‘Arbor Vitae’ or The Tree of Life

Question 8

Why is the cerebellum called the tree of life?

Answer 8

The gyri look like leaves or foliage and are so called “folia”

Question 9

What are the 3 layers of the cerebellar cortex from outer to inner?

Answer 9

Molecular layer
Purkinje cell layer
Granule cell layer

Question 10

What is contained in the granule cell layer?

Answer 10

More than 50% of all neurons are found in this layer

Question 11

How do afferent (inputs) to the cerebellum enter?

Answer 11

Via cerebellar peduncles and project to mainly the granule cell layer

Question 12

How do efferent (outputs) exit the cerebellum?

Answer 12

Only output is via axons of Purkinje cells

Question 13

What are the 3 function divisions of the cerebellum?

Answer 13

Vestibulocerebellum
Spinocerebellum
Pontocerebellum

Question 14

Cerebellar hemispheres influence ipsilateral or contralateral side of the body?

Answer 14

Ipsilateral

Question 15

What clinical signs are a result of unilateral hemispheric lesions of the cerebellum?

Answer 15

Disturbance of coordination in limbs

Tremor and unsteady gait

Question 16

What clinical signs are a results of bilateral cerebellar dysfunction?

Answer 16

Slowed, slurred speech (dysarthria)
Bilateral incoordination of the arms
Staggering, wide based gait (cerebellar ataxia)
(Acute alcohol exposure mimics this)

Question 17

What are the functions of the basal ganglia?

Answer 17

Facilitate purposeful movement
Inhibit unwanted movement
Role in posture and muscle tone

Question 18

What does the basal ganglia comprise of?

Answer 18

Caudate nucleus
Putamen
Globus pallidus
Subthalamic nucleus
Substantia nigra

Question 19

What does the lenticular nucleus comprise of?

Answer 19

Putamen

Globus pallidus

Question 20

What does the striatum comprise of?

Answer 20

Caudate nucleus

Putamen

Question 21

What does the corpus striatum comprise of?

Answer 21

Caudate nucleus
Putamen
Globus pallidus

Question 22

Where is the substantial nigra located?

Answer 22

In the midbrain near the cerebral aqueduct

Question 23

Which disease shows degeneration of the substantial nigra?

Answer 23

Parkinson’s disease

Question 24

In contrast to cerebellar lesions, which side of the body is affected in unilateral lesions of basal ganglia?

Answer 24

Contralateral side of body

Question 25

Basal ganglia lesions cause paralysis, sensory loss, loss of power and ataxia. True/false?

Answer 25

False

Question 26

Basal ganglia lesions cause changes in muscle tone, dyskinesias (abnormal, involuntary movement). True/false?

Answer 26

True

Question 27

Name some examples of dyskinesias?

Answer 27

Tremor (sinusoidal movements)
Chorea (rapid, asymmetrical movements usually affecting distal limb)
Myoclonus (muscle jerks)

Question 28

Name disorders associated with the basal ganglia?

Answer 28

Parkinson’s disease

Huntington’s disease