Internal structure: gray and white matter
Two tissue types are clearly differentiated on a cross-section of the cerebellum. The surface is covered by gray matter, forming the cerebellar cortex (cortex cerebelli). It features three cytoarchitectonic layers (from the surface inward):
- Molecular layer (stratum moleculare);
- Ganglionic layer (stratum neuronorum piriformium);
- Granular layer (stratum granulosum).
Deep to the cortex lies white matter, which forms the corpus medullare of the cerebellum (corpus medullare cerebelli). On sagittal sections, accumulations of white matter extending into the gyri create a characteristic branching pattern known as the arbor vitae (arbor vitae cerebelli). Within this white matter lie masses of gray matter — the cerebellar nuclei (nuclei cerebelli).
Cerebellar nuclei
Four paired nuclei lie within the white matter of each hemisphere and the vermis. They serve as the primary output centers through which the cerebellum communicates with other parts of the brain.
- Fastigial nucleus (nucleus fastigii) — located most medially, in the white matter of the vermis, near the roof of the fourth ventricle. It belongs to the oldest structures (archaeocerebellum) and sends its fibers to the vestibular nuclei and reticular formation.
- Globose nucleus (nucleus globosus) — lies in the hemispheres, medial to the dentate nucleus. It belongs to the palaeocerebellum and connects with the red nucleus via the superior peduncles.
- Emboliform nucleus (nucleus emboliformis) — located parallel and somewhat medial to the dentate nucleus. Like the globose nucleus, it is part of the palaeocerebellum and has efferent connections with the red nucleus.
- Dentate nucleus (nucleus dentatus) — the largest and most lateral nucleus, located in the mediolateral regions of the hemispheres. It belongs to the neocerebellum (neocerebellum) and forms the dentatothalamic tract (tractus dentatothalamicus) ascending to the thalamus.
Cerebellar peduncles
The cerebellum is securely anchored to the brainstem by three pairs of peduncles (pedunculi cerebellares), through which all afferent and efferent pathways pass:
- Inferior cerebellar peduncles (pedunculi cerebellares caudales / inferiores) — connect the cerebellum with the medulla oblongata.
- Middle cerebellar peduncles (pedunculi cerebellares medii) — provide bidirectional communication with the pons.
- Superior cerebellar peduncles (pedunculi cerebellares rostrales / superiores) — extend toward the midbrain.
Lobes and phylogenetic divisions
During evolution, the cerebellum developed unevenly; therefore, it is divided into three phylogenetic regions that closely correspond to anatomical lobes.
Archaeocerebellum (archaeocerebellum) is represented by the flocculonodular lobe (lobus flocculonodularis), which includes the nodulus of the vermis (nodulus) and the flocculus of the hemispheres (flocculus). This part is separated by the posterolateral fissure (fissura dorsolateralis) and is responsible for vestibular connections.
Paleocerebellum (palaeocerebellum) corresponds to the anterior lobe (lobus rostralis / anterior), excluding the lingula. It includes vermian structures such as the central lobule and culmen (culmen), as well as the anterior part of the quadrangular lobule of the hemispheres. It is separated by the primary fissure (fissura prima) and receives spinocerebellar pathways.
Neocerebellum (neocerebellum) is the evolutionarily youngest part, represented by the posterior lobe (lobus caudalis / posterior). It occupies the space between the primary and posterolateral fissures. It includes the declive, pyramis, uvula of the vermis, as well as extensive areas of the hemispheres (posterior part of the quadrangular lobule, semilunar lobules, tonsil). The neocerebellum provides complex corticopontocerebellar connections.
Briefly: answers to topical questions
Which pathways pass through the inferior cerebellar peduncles?
The inferior cerebellar peduncles (pedunculi cerebellares caudales or inferiores) transmit pathways connecting the cerebellum with the medulla oblongata and spinal cord. They contain:
- Posterior spinocerebellar tract (tractus spinocerebellaris posterior, Flechsig's tract) — conveys proprioceptive information from Clarke's column to the cerebellar vermal cortex.
Which pathways pass through the superior cerebellar peduncles?
The superior cerebellar peduncles (pedunculi cerebellares rostrales or superiores) transmit afferent and efferent pathways connecting the cerebellum with the midbrain. These include:
- Anterior spinocerebellar tract (tractus spinocerebellaris anterior, Gowers' tract) — an ascending tract whose fibers reach the cerebellar vermis.
- Efferent pathways from the globose (nucleus globosus) and emboliform (nucleus emboliformis) nuclei — project to the red nucleus.
From which secondary brain vesicle does the cerebellum develop?
The cerebellum (cerebellum) develops from the rhombencephalon (rhombencephalon), which during embryogenesis divides into the metencephalon (metencephalon) and myelencephalon (myelencephalon). The cerebellum forms from the cerebellar plate, belonging to the medial and lateral regions of the rhombencephalon.
Which cerebellar cortical cells are the sole efferent (output) neurons?
The sole efferent (output) neurons of the cerebellar cortex are Purkinje cells, or pear-shaped neurons. They are the largest cortical cells, arranged strictly in a single row within the ganglionic layer. Their axons form the only efferent pathway leaving the cortex: they descend through the granular layer into the white matter and project to the subcortical (deep) cerebellar nuclei.
Which arteries supply blood to the cerebellum?
Blood supply to the cerebellum derives from the vertebrobasilar system via three main paired arteries:
- Superior cerebellar artery (a. cerebelli superior) — a branch of the basilar artery, supplying the superior surface of the hemispheres and the upper part of the vermis.
- Anterior inferior cerebellar artery (a. cerebelli inferior anterior) — a branch of the basilar artery, supplying the anteroinferior part of the hemispheres (around the flocculus).
- Posterior inferior cerebellar artery (a. cerebelli inferior posterior) — a branch of the vertebral artery, supplying the posteroinferior surface of the hemispheres, the lower part of the vermis, and the cerebellar tonsil.
The order of the cerebellar nuclei from medial to lateral is easily remembered by the mnemonic: "Fastigial, Globose, Emboliform, Dentate" (nucleus fastigii → nucleus globosus → nucleus emboliformis → nucleus dentatus).
Class and exam questions
From which embryonic source does the cerebellum develop?
The cerebellum develops from the cerebellar plate, which is derived from the medial and lateral regions of the rhombencephalon.
What is the "arbor vitae" in the anatomy of the cerebellum?
This is the specific pattern (arbor vitae cerebelli) formed by the white medullary body extending into the cortical gyri on a sagittal section of the cerebellum.
To which part of the brainstem do the middle peduncles connect the cerebellum?
The middle cerebellar peduncles (pedunculi cerebellares medii) firmly connect the cerebellar hemispheres to the pons.
Which cerebellar lobe is functionally connected to the vestibular system?
The flocculonodular lobe (lobus flocculonodularis), belonging to the evolutionarily old cerebellum (archaeocerebellum), is associated with vestibular pathways.
What else to study on this topic
- Topography of vermian structures (lingula, culmen, declive, pyramis, uvula)
- Detailed composition of the anterior and posterior lobe hemispheric lobules
- Pathways of the paleocerebellum (spinocerebellar tracts)
- Corticopontocerebellar pathways and their significance for the neocerebellum
Study the complete topic in the Anatomy course
This is a summary. The course covers everything tested in classes and exams.
- Complete study guide on the cerebellum and 1,363 other subject pages
- Assignments and quizzes after every topic — just like in a colloquium
- AI tutor answers questions on the topic anytime
- 295 video lessons by subject
Other topics in the "CNS" section
Free video lessons: AnatomyShort lessons with study notes — no registration required.
Prepared by WhiteCoat Pro faculty in accordance with the medical school curriculum. For educational purposes only.