General Features of Cerebellum :

The cerebellum consists of a midline

vermis and 2-lateral hemispheres.
Anatomically , it is divided into
anterior , posterior & flocculo-nodular
lobes.
It controls equilibrium, it influences
posture & muscle tone and coordinates
the movements
Its surface is high convoluted, forming
folds or folia, being oriented transversely
Lateral aspect of brain It lies behind Pons & M.O. , separated
stem & cerebellum , from them by the cavity of 4th ventricle.
showing cerebellar
peduncles. It is connected to brain stem (medulla,
pons& midbrain) by inferior, middle &
superior cerebellar
 External Features of Cerebellum :
It has anterior notch ,which is
wider and lodging the back of pons
& medulla. It is separated from
them by cavity of 4thventricle
 It has also posterior notch
Superior surface
occupied by falx cerebelli, which
separates the 2 cerebellar H.
Inferior surface : rounded
on each side and presents :
a deep groove (vallecula)
between the 2-cerebellar
hemispheres,which is occupied by
the inferior vermis. -Tonsil is
a small part of cerebellar
Inferior surface
hemisphere that lies lateral to
External Features of Cerebellum :
Superior surface : lies beneath
tentorium cerebelli and has a raised
superior vermis + a large cerebellar
hemisphere on each side + primary &
horizontal fissures.
1- Primary fissure V-
shaped,well defined fissure, lies on
superior surface and separates the small
anterior lobe from the larger middle lobe
(or posterior lobe).
2- Horizontal fissure lies along the
sides of cerebellum, extending from
anterior notch to posterior notch, separates
3- Secondary (posterolateral) fissure
the superior from the inferior surfaces.
lies on inferior surface and separates
flocculo-nodular lobe from the ramainder
of cerebellum.

Schematic drawing of cerebellum
showing the relationships between
the anatomical & functional divisions
of cerebellum.
Green =archi-cerebellum,
blue=paleo-cerebellum.
Pink= neo-cerebellum
Functional subdivision of
cerebellum :
1- Archi-cerebellum =
posterior lobe
(Vestibular part) :
_ It is
formed of the flocculo-nodular lobe
+ associated fastigial nuclei, lying
on inf. Surface in front of postero-
lateral fissure.
_Embryologically, it is the oldest
part of cerebellum.
_It receives afferent Fs. From
vestibular apparatus of internal ear
Via vestibulo-cerebellar tracts.
_It is concerned
with equlibrium.
 I- Archicerebellum
It is concerned with equilibrium.
It represents flocculo-nodular lobe.

It has connections with vestibular &

reticular nuclei of brain stem
through the inferior cerebellar
peduncle.
Afferent vestibular Fs. Pass from
vestibular nuclei in pons & medulla to the
cortex of ipsilateral flocculo-nodular lobe.
Efferent cortical (purkinje cell) Fs.
Connections of Project to fastigial nucleus, which projects to
vestibular nuclei & reticular formation.
archicerebellum
It affects the L.M.system bilaterally via

Schematic drawing of cerebellum
showing the relationships between the
anatomical & functional divisions of
cerebellum.
Green =archi-cerebellum,
blue=paleo-cerebellum.
Pink= neo-cerebellum
2- Paleo-cerebellum=
(spinal part) :
-_it is formed of midline
vermis + surrounding
paravermis + globose &
emboliform nuclei. _It
receives afferent proprio-ceptive
impulses from Ms.& tendons Via
spino-cerebellar tracts (dorsal &
ventral) mainly. -it sends
efferents to red nucleus of
midbrain. -
it is concerned with muscle tone
 2-Paleo-cerebellum
It is concerned with muscle tone
& posture.
Afferents spinal Fs. consist of
dorsal & ventral spino-cerebellar
tract from muscle, joint &
cutaneous receptors to enter the
cortex of ipsilateral vermis & para
vermis Via inferior & superior
cerebellar peduncles .
Efferents cortical fibres pass to
globose & emboliform nuclei, then
Via sup. C. peduncle to contra-
lateral red nucleus of midbrain to
Connections of Paleo-cerebellum.
give rise descending rubro-spinal
tract.

Schematic drawing of cerebellum
showing the relationships between the
anatomical & functional divisions of
cerebellum.
Green =archi-cerebellum,
blue=paleo-cerebellum.
Pink= neo-cerebellum
3- Neo-cerebellum=
(cerebral part) :
_It is the remaining largest
part of cerebellum.
_It includes the most 2-
cerebellar hemispheres +
dendate nuclei.
_It receives afferent impulses
from the cerebral cortex+pons
Via cerebro-ponto- cerebellar
pathway.
-it sends efferents to V.L.nucleus
of thalamus.
-it controls voluntary
movements (muscle
coordination).
 3- Neo-cerebellum
It is concerned with muscular
coordination.
It receives afferents from cerebral
cortex involved in planning of
movement- to pontine nuclei ,cross to
opposite side Via middle Cerebellar
peduncle to end in lateral parts of
cerebellum (cerebro-ponto-cerebellar
tract).
Neo-cerebellar efferents project to
dendate nucleus,which in turn projects
to contra-lateral red nucleus & ventral
lateral nucleus of thalamus ,then to
motor cortex of frontal lobe, giving rise
descending cortico-spinal & cortico-
bulbar pathways.
Connections of Neo-cerebellum. Efferents of dentate nucleus form a
major part of superior C. peduncle.
 Cerebellar Lesions
 Are usually vascular, may be traumatic or tumour.
 Manifestations of unilateral cerebellar lesions :
1-ipsilateral incoordination of (U.L) arm = intention tremors : it
is a terminal tremors at the end of movement as in touching nose or
button the shirt.
2-Or ipsilateral cerebellar ataxia affects (L.L.) leg, causing
wide-based unsteady gait.
 Manifestations of bilateral cerebellar lesions (caused by alcoholic
intoxication, hypothyrodism, cerebellar degeneration & multiple
sclerosis) :
1-dysarthria : slowness & slurring of speech.
2-Incoordination of both arms.= intention tremors.
3-Cerebellar ataxia : intermittent jerky
movements or staggering , wide-based, unsteady gait.
4-Nystagmus : is a
very common feature of multiple sclerosis. It is due to impairment
coordination of eye movements /so, incoordination of eye movements
occurs and eyes exhibit a to-and-fro motion.
 Combination of nystagmus+ dysarthria + intension tremors constitutes
 Internal Structure of
cerebellum : It consists of an outer
layer of grey matter
(cerebellar cortex) , &
inner layer of white
matter containing 4-pairs
of cerebellar nuclei :
above roof of 4th V. from
medial to lateral :
1-Fastigial
nucleus. 2-
Sagittal section of cerebellum.
Globose nucleus.
T.S.of cerebellum & brain at level 3-Emboliform nucleus.
of 4th V. to show cerebellar nuclei. 4-Dendate nucleus.
(the only one that can be
seen clearly with the naked

T.S of cerebellar folia showing
layers of cerebellar cortex.
Afferent & Efferent connecltions and
their relationships to principal
cells of cerebellar cortex.
Cerebellar cortex
It is highly convoluted,
forming numerous transversely
oriented folia.
It contains nerve cells,
dendrites and synaptic
connections of cellular
neurones.
The cellular organization of
the cortex consists of 3-layers :
1-Outer molecular layer.
2-Intermediate, purkinje cell
layer.
3-Inner granular layer, which is
dominated by granule cell.
 Cerebellar cortex
Molecular layer : contains
1-Cells : molecular cells (stellate
cells) & basket cells.
2-Nerve Fibres :
a- dendrites of
Purkinje cells (arborisations).
B-axons of granule
cells. ( bifurcate to produce 2-parallel
fibres , oriented along long axis of
folium). C-ending
of climbing fibers.
Purkinje cell layer : it is formed
of one layer (unicellular) of large flask-
shaped purkinje cells. Their
arborisations are at right angles to long
axis to folium.

Granular layer : it is formed of

small granule cells & ending of
MThere are 3-types of
Nerve Fibres in white
Matter :
1-Axons of purkinje cells :
the only axons to leave
cerebellar cortex to end in deep
cerebellar nuclei specially dendate
nucleus.
2-Mossy Fibres : end in the
granular layer.
3-Climbing Fibres :
end in the molecular layer.
 Afferent Fibres to cerebellum :
Mostly end in cerebellar cortex,
excitatory to cortical neurones,
as mossy or climbing Fs.
passing through the cerebellar
peduncles.
The following are Afferent fibres:
(In M.O)
1-
dorsal & ventral spino-cerebellar
tract. (passing via I.C.P & S.C.P)
2-
vestibulo-cerebellar Fs. (via I.C.P)
3-
olivo-cerebellar Fs. (via I.C.P)/
(extrapyramidal fibres), (end as
climbing or mossy fibres)
Efferent Fibres of the
cerebellum :
M
It sends the following fibres :
1-Cerebello-vestibular Fs. to
vestibular nuclei of pons & M.O.
2-Cerebello-
olivary Fs. To M.O.
3-Dendato-rubro-
thalamic tract To red nucleus of
midbrain & ventro-lateral
nucleus of the thalamus and finally
to motor cortex of frontal lobe to
coordinate movement via cortico-
spinal & corticobulbar tracts.
The Fourth Ventricle
It is a cavity of hindbrain.
Position : lies between pons & M.O.
anteriorly and the cerebellum
posteriorly.
It is a diamond-shaped space which
is lined by ependyma.
Its superior angle is continuous with
cerebral aqueduct of midbrain.
inferior angle is continuous with
centeral canal of closed M.O.
Its lateral angles extend laterally to
form a lateral recess on each side to
open into subarachnoid space.
The Boundaries of 4 Ventricle
th

Superiolateral boundary :
-it is formed by superior
cerebellar peduncle on each side.
Inferiolateral boundary :
-it is formed by inferior
cerebellar peduncle + gracile &
cuneate tubercles on each side.
The Roof of 4th Ventricle
-it is a tent-shaped when seen
laterally, and diamond-shaped when
seen behind.
-it is formed of superior
& inferior medullary vela, which
are thin sheets of white matter
/consists of : ependyma
covered by pia mater.
-Sup.medullary velum
connects the 2 sup.cerebellar
peduncles. -
Inf.medullary velum connects the 2
inf.cerebellar peduncles.
-Inferior vermis of cerebellum :
lies in the middle of roof of 4th
The Roof of 4th Ventricle
The lower part of roof is
invaginated by tela choroidea of
4th ventricle.
The tela choroidea is a double
layer of pia mater which encloses
the choroid plexus of 4th ventricle.
The choroid plexus is a
vascular capillary tuft covered by
ependymal cells and secretes C.S.F.
into the lumen of 4th ventricle.
The Openings of 4th Ventricle
The roof contains 3 aperatures
which transmit C.S.F. from ventricular
lumen to subarachnoid space.
Median aperature (foramen of
Magendie) : lies in the median plane at
lower end of inferior medullary velum,
and opens into subarachnoid space at
cistrna magna at cerebello-medullary
angle
2 lateral openings (foramina of
Luschka) : each one lies at the lateral
end of lateral recess to open into
subarachnoid space at cerebello-
pontine angle. choroid plexus partly
protrudes out through each lateral
 The Floor of 4 Ventricle th

It is called rhomboid fossa.

It is diamond-shaped and is
divided into right & left halves
by the median sulcus.
It is crossed in the middle by
transvere Fs. (ponto-cerebellar
Fs.)called medullary stria,
which divide floor of 4th
ventricle into upper (pontine)
& lower (medullary) part.

A diagram to show the floor & lateral

boundaries of 4th ventricle.
 The Floor of 4 Ventricle th

Upper pontine part : presents

on each side of median sulcus.
1-Medial eminence : a
rounded elevation produced by the
abducent nucleus.
2-Facial colliculus
: an elevation on the top of lower
part of medial eminence. It is
produced by the fibres of facial
nerve which surround abducent
nucleus.
3-Superior fovea : a groove
lateral to facial colliculus.
4-Vestibular area :
A diagram to show the floor & lateral lateral to superior fovea. It
boundaries of 4th ventricle.
 The Floor of 4 Ventricle th

Lower medullary part :

presents on each side of the
median sulcus. 1-Inferior
fovea : inverted V-shaped groove.
2-
Hypoglossal area : medial to
inferior fovea. It overlies
hypo-glossal nucleus.
3-Vagal area (triangle) :
between limbs of inferior fovea.It
overlies dorsal nucleus of vagus.
4-Vestibular area :
lateral to inferior fovea. It overlies
inferior vestibular nucleus.
A diagram to show the floor & lateral
boundaries of 4th ventricle.