Cerebellum

The cerebellum is the part of the brain located at the back of the brainstem, in the infratentorial space. It is involved in the coordination of movements, balance, and posture. The cerebellum is also involved in learning new motor skills and in the regulation of emotional responses.

Location and External Features

• The cerebellum is located in the infratentorial space, below the tentorium cerebelli.
• It is situated between the occipital lobe and the medulla oblongata.
• The cerebellum is divided into two hemispheres, a midline vermis, and a pair of cerebellar peduncles.
• The cerebellum is surrounded by the dura mater, arachnoid mater, and pia mater.

Division and Connections

• The cerebellum is divided into three parts: the cerebellar hemispheres, the vermis, and the flocculonodular lobe.
• The cerebellum is connected to the brainstem through the superior, middle, and inferior cerebellar peduncles.
• The cerebellum is also connected to the cerebrum through the middle cerebellar peduncles.

Cerebellar Peduncles

• The superior cerebellar peduncle connects the cerebellum to the midbrain.
• The middle cerebellar peduncle connects the cerebellum to the pons.
• The inferior cerebellar peduncle connects the cerebellum to the medulla oblongata.

Intra Cerebellar Nuclei

• The intra cerebellar nuclei are six pairs of nuclei located in the white matter of the cerebellum.
• The nuclei are: the dentate nucleus, the emboliform nucleus, the globose nucleus, the fastigial nucleus, the interposed nucleus, and the vestibular nucleus.

Blood Supply

• The cerebellum is supplied by the superior cerebellar arteries and the anterior inferior cerebellar arteries.
• The posterior inferior cerebellar arteries also supply the cerebellum.

Applied Anatomy

• The cerebellum is an important structure in the brain that plays a key role in the coordination of movements.
• Damage to the cerebellum can result in ataxia, a loss of coordination and balance.
• The cerebellum is also involved in the regulation of emotional responses and is affected in certain psychiatric conditions.