Cerebellum

Ruweyda Abdirahman Ahmed

M1210036
Gross appearance
• The cerebellum is situated in the posterior cranial fossa and is covered
superiorly by the tentorium cerebelli. It lies posterior to the forth
ventricle, the pons and the medulla ablongata.
• The cerebellum is ovoid in shape and constricted in its median part.
• It consists of two cerebellar hemispheres joined by a narrow median
vermis.
• The cerebellum is connected with the brain stem by three bundles of
fibers called the superior, middle and inferior Cerebellar peduncles.
Lobes of cerebellum
• The Cerebellum is divided into three main lobes: The anterior, middle
and Flocculonodular lobes.
• Anterior lobe is on the superior surface and is separated from the
middle lobe by v-shaped fissure called the primary fissure.
• Middle lobe is the largest part of cerebellum, is situated between the
primary and uvulonodular fissures
• Flocculonodular lobe is situated posterior to the uvulonodular
fissure.
• A deep horizontal fissure separates the superior surface from the
inferior surface but has no morphologic or functional significance.
Zones Of cerebellum
• Cerebellum is also divided into longitudinal zones, each is associated
with specific motor functions.
• Vermis.
• Intermediate zones (paravermal zone).
• Lateral zones.
Structures
• The Cerebellum is composed of an outer covering gray matter called
the cortex and inner white matter.
• In the white matter of each hemisphere there are Three masses of
gray matter called intercelebellar nuclei.
Cerebellar cortex
• The cortex of cerebellum is divided into three layers:The molecular
layer(external layer), purkinje cell layer (middle) and the granular
layer which is the inner layer
• The molecular layer consists of two types of neurons: The outer
Stellate cell and the inner basket cell. It also contains the dendrites of
purkinje cell and golgi cell and the axons of granule cell.
• The purkinje cell layer contains the bodies of purkinje cell .
• The granular layer contains granule and golgi cells.
Functional areas of cerebellar cortex
• The Cerebellum is primarily associated with The coordination and regulation
of voluntary motor movements. It can be divided into three functional areas
that contribute to various aspects of motor control:
• Flocculonodular lobe(Vestibulocrebellum):is connected with the vestibular
system and helps in maintaining the equilibrium.
• Spinocrebellum(Paleocrebellum):is formed of the vermal and paravermal
zone. It’s connected with the spinal cord and involved in regulation of muscle
tone and muscle coordination.
• Corticocerebellum(neocrebellum):is formed of the lateral zone. It’s connected
with the cerebral cortex and associated with automatic control of movement
(Planning of movement and control range and force of movement).
Intercelebellar nuclei
• Four masses of gray matter in the white matter of cerebellum on each
side of the midline.
• Fastigial nucleus:is connected with the vermal zone of the cerebellum
• Interposed nuclei (Globose and embolform):connected with the
paravermal zone.
• Dentate nucleus: connected with the lateral zone.
White matter
• Intrinsic fibers: don’t leave the cerebellum but connect the different
regions of the organ. Some interconnect the cerebellar cortex and
vermis of same side; others connect the two cerebellar hemispheres
together.
• Afferent fibers: climbing fibers and mossy fibers
Climbing fibers(Olivocrebellar fibers): They synapse with purkinje cells
and they are excitatory to purkinje cells.
Mossy fibers(Non-olivocelebellar fibers):they synapse with granule cell
and they are excitatory to granule cells.
• Efferent fibers: Inhibitory fibers and excitatory fibers
Inhibitory fibers: axons of purkinje cells.
Excitatory fibers: fibers of cerebellar nuclei.
.Arbor vitae: small amount of white matter in vermis which resembles
the branches of tree.
Afferent cerebellar pathways
Efferent cerebellar pathways
Cerebellar peduncles
Cerebellum is connected to the brainstem by three cerebellar
peduncles which bundles of afferent and efferent fibers.
.superior cerebellar peduncle: connect the cerebellum to the midbrain
.Middle cerebellar peduncle: connect the cerebellum to the pons.
.inferior cerebellar peduncle: connect the cerebellum to the medulla.
Function of cerebellum
.Equilibrium.
.Regulation of muscle tone and muscle coordination.
.Automatic control of movement(planning of movement and control
range and focus of movement).
Clinical notes
• Signs of cerebellar lesions:
.Intention tremor: the tremor is absent at rest and appears when the
patient moves his limbs.
. Disturbance in muscle coordination:
.Ataxia: incoordination of trunk and limbs muscles.
.Nystagmus: incoordination of (ataxia) of extraocular muscles.
.scanning speech: incoordination of muscles of speech.
.Dysmetria: disturbance in the range of movement.