ANATOMY OF CEREBELLUM

• Cerebellar cortex
• Fissure
• Lobes
• Cerebellar white matter
• Cerebellar Nuclei
• Cerebellar peducles
 CEREBELLUM

•The cerebellum, second largest part of brain, occupies the

inferior and posterior aspects of the cranial cavity.
• Like the cerebrum, the cerebellum has a highly folded
surface that greatly increases the surface area of its outer
gray matter cortex, allowing for a greater number of
neurons.
•The cerebellum is posterior to the medulla and pons and
inferior to the posterior portion of the cerebrum.
•In superior or inferior views, the shape of the cerebellum
resembles a butterfly.
 Function:

•Cerebellum smoothes the movements,

and coordinate complex sequences of
skeletal muscle contractions.
• It is the main brain region that regulates
posture and balance.
 Fissures and Lobes of Cerebellum
• A deep groove known as the transverse fissure, along with the
tentorium cerebelli, which supports the posterior part of the
cerebrum, separates the cerebellum from the cerebrum.
• The central constricted area is the vermis (vermis means=worm), and
the lateral “wings” or lobes are the cerebellar hemispheres.
• Each hemisphere consists of lobes separated by deep and distinct
fissures called Primary fissures.
• The anterior lobe and posterior lobe govern subconscious aspects of
skeletal muscle movements.
• The flocculonodular lobe (“flocculo” means=wool-like tuft) on the
inferior surface contributes to equilibrium and balance.
 Cerebellar cortex, Cerebellar white matter & Nuclei
• The superficial layer of the cerebellum, called the
cerebellar cortex, consists of gray matter in a series of
slender, parallel folds called folia (folia means=leaves).
• Deep to the gray matter are tracts of white matter
called arbor vitae (arbor vite means=tree of life) that
resemble branches of a tree.
• Even deeper, within the white matter, are the
cerebellar nuclei, regions of gray matter that give rise
to axons carrying impulses from the cerebellum to
other brain centers.
 Cerebellar peduncles

• These are the bundles of white matter consist of axons that conduct
impulses between the cerebellum and other parts of the brain.
• Three paired cerebellar peduncles attach the cerebellum to the brain
stem.
1) Superior cerebellar peduncles: (Efferent neurons) It contain axons
that extend from the cerebellum to the red nuclei of the midbrain
and to several nuclei of the thalamus.
2) Middle cerebellar peduncles: (Afferent neurons) These are the
largest peduncles; their axons carry impulses for voluntary
movements from the pontine nuclei (which receive input from
motor areas of the cerebral cortex) into the cerebellum.
 Cerebellar peduncles
3) Inferior cerebellar peduncles: (Mixed neurons) It consist of
following axons connections:
o Axons of the spinocerebellar tracts that carry sensory information
into the cerebellum from proprioceptors in the trunk and limbs.
o Axons from the vestibular apparatus of the inner ear and from the
vestibular nuclei of the medulla and pons that carry sensory
information into the cerebellum from proprioceptors in the head.
o Axons from the inferior olivary nucleus of the medulla that enter the
cerebellum and regulate the activity of cerebellar neurons.
o Axons that extend from the cerebellum to the vestibular nuclei of
the medulla and pons.
o Axons that extend from the cerebellum to the reticular formation.
 ANATOMY OF BRAIN-STEM
• The brain stem is the part of the brain between the spinal
cord and the diencephalon.

• It consists of three structures:

(1) Midbrain
(2) Pons
(3) Medulla oblongata

• Extending through the brainstem is the reticular formation,

a netlike region of interspersed gray and white matter.
 ANATOMY OF MIDBRAIN
• The midbrain or mesencephalon extends from
the pons to the diencephalon and is about 2.5
cm (1 in.) long.
• The aqueduct of the midbrain (cerebral
aqueduct) passes through the midbrain,
connecting the third ventricle above with the
fourth ventricle below.
• The midbrain contains both nuclei and tracts.
 Parts of Midbrain
Ventral part of Midbrain:
• The anterior part of the midbrain contains paired
bundles of axons known as the cerebral peduncles
(peduncles means=little feet)
• The cerebral peduncles consist of axons of the
corticospinal, corticobulbar, and corticopontine tracts,
which conduct nerve impulses from motor areas in
the cerebral cortex to the spinal cord, medulla, and
pons, respectively.
 PARTS OF MIDBRAIN
Dorsal part of Midbrain:
• The posterior part of the midbrain, called the tectum
(tectum means=roof), contains four rounded elevations.
1) Two superior elevations, nuclei known as the superior
colliculi (colliculi means=little hills; singular is colliculus), serve
as reflex centers for certain visual activities. Through neural
circuits from the retina of the eye to the superior colliculi to
the extrinsic eye muscles, visual stimuli elicit eye movements
for tracking moving images (such as a moving car) and
scanning stationary images (as you are doing to read this
sentence).
 PARTS OF MIDBRAIN
• The superior colliculi are also responsible for reflexes
that govern movements of the head, eyes, and trunk
in response to visual stimuli.
2) Two inferior colliculi, are part of the auditory
pathway, relaying impulses from the receptors for
hearing in the inner ear to the brain. These two nuclei
are also reflex centers for the startle reflex, sudden
movements of the head, eyes, and trunk that occur
when you are surprised by a loud noise such as a
gunshot.
 Nuclei of Midbrain
• The midbrain contains several other nuclei, including the left and
right substantia nigra (substantia means=substance ; nigra
means=black), which are large and darkly pigmented.
• Neurons that release dopamine, extending from the substantia
nigra to the basal nuclei, help control subconscious muscle
activities. Loss of these neurons is associated with Parkinson’s
disease.
• The midbrain also contains left and right red nuclei, which look
reddish due to their rich blood supply and an iron-containing
pigment in their neuronal cell bodies. Axons from the cerebellum
and cerebral cortex form synapses in the red nuclei, which help
control muscular movements.
 Nuclei of Midbrain
• Still other nuclei in the midbrain are associated with two
pairs of cranial nerves:
1. Oculomotor (III) nerves: Nuclei in the midbrain provide
motor impulses that control movements of the eyeball, while
accessory oculomotor nuclei provide motor control to the
smooth muscles that regulate constriction of the pupil and
changes in shape of the lens via the oculomotor nerves.
2. Trochlear (IV) nerves: Nuclei in the midbrain provide
motor impulses that control movements of the eyeball via
the trochlear nerves.
 PONS
• The pons ( bridge) lies directly superior to the medulla and
anterior to the cerebellum and is about 2.5 cm (1 in.) long.
• Like the midbrain, the pons consists of both nuclei and tracts.
• As its name, the pons is a bridge that connects parts of the
brain with one another. These connections are provided by
bundles of axons.
• Some axons of the pons connect the right and left sides of
the cerebellum.
• Others are part of ascending sensory tracts and descending
motor tracts.
 PARTS OF PONS
Ventral Part:
• The ventral region of the pons forms a large synaptic relay station
consisting of scattered gray centers called the pontine nuclei. Entering
and exiting these nuclei are numerous white matter tracts, each of which
provides a connection between the cortex (outer layer) of a cerebral
hemisphere and that of the opposite hemisphere of the cerebellum.
• This complex circuitry plays an essential role in coordinating and
maximizing the efficiency of voluntary motor output throughout the
body.
Dorsal Part:
• The dorsal region of the pons is more like the other regions of the brain
stem, the medulla and midbrain. It contains ascending and descending
tracts along with the nuclei of cranial nerves.
 NUCLEI OF PONS
• Within the pons is the pontine respiratory group (nuclei), together with the medullary
respiratory center, the pontine respiratory group helps control breathing.
• The pons also contains nuclei associated with the following four pairs of cranial nerves:
1. Trigeminal (V) nerves. Nuclei in the pons receive sensory impulses for somatic
sensations from the head and face and provide motor impulses that govern chewing via
the trigeminal nerves.
2. Abducens (VI) nerves. Nuclei in the pons provide motor impulses that control eyeball
movement via the abducens nerves.
3. Facial (VII) nerves. Nuclei in the pons receive sensory impulses for taste and provide
motor impulses to regulate secretion of saliva and tears and contraction of muscles of
facial expression via the facial nerves.
4. Vestibulocochlear (VIII) nerves. Nuclei in the pons receive sensory impulses from inner
ear and provide motor impulses to the vestibular apparatus via the vestibulocochlear
nerves. These nerves convey impulses related to balance and equilibrium.
 MEDULLA OBLONGATA
• The medulla oblongata, is continuous with the superior part of the spinal cord; it forms
the inferior part of the brain stem. The medulla begins at the foramen magnum and
extends to the inferior border of the pons, a distance of about 3 cm (1.2 in.).
Ventral side of the Medulla Oblongata:
• The medulla’s white matter contains all sensory (ascending) tracts and motor
(descending) tracts that extend between the spinal cord and other parts of the brain.
• Some of the white matter forms bulges on the anterior aspect of the medulla. These
protrusions, called the pyramids, are formed by the large corticospinal tracts that pass
from the cerebrum to the spinal cord. The corticospinal tracts control voluntary
movements of the limbs and trunk.
• Just superior to the junction of the medulla with the spinal cord, 90% of the axons in the
left pyramid cross to the right side, and 90% of the axons in the right pyramid cross to the
left side. This crossing is called the decussation of pyramids and explains why each side of
the brain controls voluntary movements on the opposite side of the body.
 REFLEX CENTERS OF MEDULLA
OBLONGATA
Dorsal side of Medulla Oblongata:
• The medulla also contains several nuclei. Some of these nuclei control vital
body functions.
• Examples of nuclei in the medulla that regulate vital activities include:
Cardio vascular center-----------It regulates the rate and force of the heartbeat
and the diameter of blood vessels.
 Medullary rhythmicity center------------It adjusts the basic rhythm of
breathing.
• Nuclei in the medulla also control five non-vital reflex centers:
vomiting, swallowing, sneezing, coughing, and hiccupping.
 NUCLEI OF MEDULLA
OBLONGATA
• Nuclei associated with sensations of touch, pressure, vibration, and
conscious proprioception are located in the posterior part of the medulla.
• Right and Left Gracile nucleus
• Cuneate nucleus
• Ascending sensory axons of the gracile fasciculus and the cuneate
fasciculus, which are two tracts in the posterior columns of the spinal
cord, form synapses in these nuclei.
• The axons ascend to the thalamus in a band of white matter called the
medial lemniscus, which extends through the medulla, pons, and
midbrain.
• The tracts of the posterior columns and the axons of the medial lemniscus
are collectively known as the posterior column–medial lemniscus
pathway.
 LATERAL PART OF MEDULLA
OBLONGATA

• Just lateral to each pyramid is an oval-shaped swelling called

an olive.
• Within the olive is the inferior olivary nucleus, which
receives input from the cerebral cortex, red nucleus of the
midbrain, and spinal cord. Neurons of the inferior olivary
nucleus extend their axons into the cerebellum, where they
regulate the activity of cerebellar neurons.
• ( Superior olivary nucleus-----located in pons, concerned
with hearing or auditory processing)
 NUCLEI OF MEDULLA
OBLONGATA
• The medulla also contains nuclei that are components of sensory
pathways for gustation (taste), audition (hearing), and equilibrium
(balance).
Gustatory nucleus: It is part of the gustatory pathway from the tongue
to the brain; it receives gustatory input from the taste buds of the tongue.
Cochlear nuclei: These are part of the auditory pathway from the inner
ear to the brain; they receive auditory input from the cochlea of the inner
ear.
Vestibular nuclei: These are parts of the medulla and pons are
components of the equilibrium pathway from the inner ear to the brain;
they receive sensory information associated with equilibrium from
proprioceptors in the vestibular apparatus of the inner ear.
 NUCLEI OF MEDULLA OBLONGATA
• Finally, the medulla contains nuclei associated with the following five pairs of
cranial nerves:
1. Vestibulocochlear (VIII) nerves. These nerves convey impulses related to
hearing.
2. Glossopharyngeal (IX) nerves. These nerves are related to taste, swallowing,
and salivation.
3. Vagus (X) nerves. Nuclei in the medulla receive sensory impulses from and
provide motor impulses to the pharynx and larynx and many thoracic and abdominal
viscera via the vagus nerves.
4. Accessory (XI) nerves. It control swallowing via the vagus nerves (cranial
portion of the accessory nerves).
5. Hypoglossal (XII) nerves. Nuclei in the medulla are the origin for nerve
impulses that control tongue movements during speech and swallowing via the
hypoglossal nerves.