The Cerebellum, Diencephalon & Limbic System LO4, 5

Question 1

The Cerebellum

Answer 1

• outer cortex of gray matter “cerebellar cortex”
• Ensures smooth, coordinated skeletal muscle
  movements, and maintains posture and balance
• the cerebellum receives visual, balance & proprioceptive information and uses this information to:
  fine-tune the motor output produced by the cerebral cortex
• smooth, coordinated & accurate movements
• Cerebellar damage = loss of balance, posture (muscle tone) & coordinated movements

Question 2

The Diencephalon

Answer 2

Includes the thalamus, hypothalamus and epithalamus

Question 3

Thalamus

Answer 3

• Is a relay station for information coming into
  the cerebral cortex –> “entrance to the cerebral cortex”
• processes and integrates sensory input
• relays sensory input to the correct cerebral destination
  e.g. taste information to gustatory cortex
• relays the “motor adjustments” made by the basal nuclei and cerebellum to the motor areas of the cerebral cortex

Question 4

Hypothalamus

Answer 4

control activities of the autonomic nervous system
regulate:
- body temperature –> monitor body temp,
initiate sweating or shivering
- hunger, satiety and thirst
- sleep-wake cycles
- emotions à initiate the physical responses involved in emotions of
pleasure, fear, rage, aggression, e.g. ↑ HR, respiration, sweating
(part of limbic system)
Produces ADH, oxytocin

Question 5

Epithalamus

Answer 5

Includes the pineal gland which produces melatonin
- induces sleep

Question 6

Limbic System

Answer 6

A functional system that includes specific areas of
the cerebrum (prefrontal cortex & hippocampus)
and diencephalon
Establishes and controls emotions
- Involved in the formation of
long-term memories
- hippocampus à converts
short-term memories into
long-term memories