Medical Disclaimer: This is educational content only, not medical advice. Consult a licensed healthcare provider for diagnosis/treatment. Information based on sources like WHO/CDC guidelines (last reviewed: 2026-02-13).
Medical Disclaimer: This is educational content only, not medical advice. Consult a licensed healthcare provider for diagnosis/treatment. Information based on sources like WHO/CDC guidelines (last reviewed: 2026-02-13).
The cerebellum is a part of the hindbrain responsible for coordination of voluntary movements, maintenance of balance and posture, regulation of muscle tone, and motor learning.
The cerebellum is located in the posterior cranial fossa, behind the pons and medulla, and below the occipital lobes of the cerebrum.
The cerebellum consists of two hemispheres connected by a central vermis and is divided into anterior, posterior, and flocculonodular lobes.
The functional divisions are the cerebrocerebellum, spinocerebellum, and vestibulocerebellum, each responsible for different aspects of motor control.
The vermis controls axial muscles and is mainly involved in maintaining posture and coordinating movements of the trunk.
The flocculonodular lobe, also known as the vestibulocerebellum, is responsible for balance and coordination of eye movements.
The cerebellar cortex has three layers: molecular layer, Purkinje cell layer, and granular layer.
Purkinje cells are the main output neurons of the cerebellar cortex and provide inhibitory signals to the deep cerebellar nuclei.
Arbor vitae refers to the tree-like appearance of cerebellar white matter seen in sagittal section.
The deep cerebellar nuclei are dentate, emboliform, globose, and fastigial nuclei, which act as major output centers of the cerebellum.
The cerebellum connects to the brainstem through three cerebellar peduncles: superior, middle, and inferior cerebellar peduncles.
The middle cerebellar peduncle carries mainly afferent fibers from the pontine nuclei to the cerebellum.
The cerebellum is supplied by the superior cerebellar artery, anterior inferior cerebellar artery, and posterior inferior cerebellar artery.
Common signs include ataxia, dysmetria, intention tremor, nystagmus, hypotonia, and scanning speech.
Cerebellar signs are ipsilateral because cerebellar pathways cross twice before influencing motor output.
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