The Cerebellum: Function, Location, & Anatomy

By Kelsey Schultz, Ph.D. Candidate
​Reviewed by Tchiki Davis, M.A., Ph.D.
If you think the brain is cool, the cerebellum just might blow your mind. Keep reading to learn about the structure and functions of this amazing patch of brain tissue.
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The cerebellum is a remarkable brain structure that serves a variety of important roles. In fact, it’s one of the original brain structures and is common to all creatures that have a spinal cord. That is, if you take a look far back in evolution, back when brains were no more complicated than that of a fish, you’ll find that there was a cerebellum was in the mix. 
​As the rest of the brain - also called the cerebrum – evolved to support more complicated behavior, so did the cerebellum, eventuating in what we enjoy today. The cerebellum that we now know and love is integral for much of what we do in a day. Let’s get into some of the cool details of what the cerebellum is and what it does for us.

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What Is the Cerebellum? (A Definition)

Cerebellum is a Latin word that means ‘little brain’. This term refers to its distinctive appearance compared to the rest of the brain. The cerebellum is a wrinkled, cauliflower-shaped brain structure located at the base of the skull. It looks like it could be a second brain and in fact, it is in some ways. For example, it has more total neurons than every other part of the brain combined. These neurons are organized in a way that creates tremendous processing power which is also a specific feature of the cerebellum. Though on the surface it seems like the cerebellum could operate just fine on its own, it is very much one part of a whole. It’s highly connected with many other areas of the brain and serves an important role in a variety of brain functions, most notably motor control.

Location of the Cerebellum

The cerebellum is located at the base of the skull, in the area where the brain and spinal cord meet. With respect to development, the cerebellum is in an area known as the hindbrain. This region contains the evolutionarily oldest parts of the brain including regions that control the most basic life functions such as breathing.​

Anatomy of the Cerebellum

The structure of the cerebellum is really quite exquisite. It’s complex yet remarkably orderly, and if you ever have the pleasure of looking at cerebellar tissue under a microscope, you’ll notice that the cell types that comprise it are strikingly beautiful. Fully describing the anatomical organization of the cerebellum could fill up an entire book, so we’ll just stick with the basics.

First, let’s start with the anatomical structures we can see with the naked eye. If you were to look at a cerebellum, you would notice that it is divided into two hemispheres connected by a central structure called the vermis (Latin for worm). The surface of the cerebellar hemispheres is characterized by a series of ridges or folds, called folia, which increase the surface area of the cerebellum and allow for greater numbers of neurons. These folia are separated by deep grooves, called fissures, which divide the cerebellum into several lobes (Kandel et al., 2000).

The cerebellum can be divided into three main lobes: the anterior lobe, the posterior lobe, and the flocculonodular lobe. The anterior lobe is the largest and is responsible for controlling movements of the limbs and body. The posterior lobe is involved in the coordination of movements and receives input from the cerebral cortex. The flocculonodular lobe is located at the bottom of the cerebellum and is involved in the coordination of eye movements (Kandel et al., 2000).

Cerebellar anatomy at the cellular level is widely regarded as exceptionally beautiful. With respect to this level of observation, the cerebellum is made up of three main layers: the molecular layer, the Purkinje cell layer, and the granular layer (Kandel et al., 2000).

The Molecular Layer

The molecular layer is the outermost layer of the cerebellum and is made up of small neurons, called interneurons, as well as the axons and dendrites of the Purkinje cells.

The Purkinje Cell Layer

The Purkinje cell layer is located in the middle of the cerebellum and consists of large, flat neurons called Purkinje cells. The axons of the Purkinje cells extend into the molecular layer, where they form synapses with other neurons.

The Granular Layer

The granular layer is the innermost layer of the cerebellum and is composed of small, densely packed neurons called granule cells. The axons of the granule cells extend into the molecular layer, where they form parallel fibers that run perpendicular to the Purkinje cells. The parallel fibers form synapses with the dendrites of the Purkinje cells and other interneurons in the molecular layer.

Functions of the Cerebellum

The cerebellum is critical for a variety of functions and may be involved in more functions than are typically ascribed to it. Below are a few of the more well-established functions of the cerebellum (Rapoport et al., 2000).
  • Temporal prediction
  • Balance
  • Proprioception
  • Motor coordination
  • Spatial orientation
  • Generating large force at movement execution
  • Motor planning
  • Posture
  • Speech

Cerebellum vs Cerebrum

The words cerebellum and cerebrum are similar enough to cause confusion but they are distinct structures. As mentioned previously, the cerebellum sits at the base of the skull, tucked underneath the rest of the brain, which is known as the cerebrum.  

The cerebrum is 90% of the total brain volume and is responsible for a wide range of functions, including sensory processing, perception, thought, and memory. This part of the brain is also responsible for higher cognitive functions such as consciousness, decision-making, problem-solving, and language.​

Cerebellum vs Basal Ganglia

Both the cerebellum and the basal ganglia are important for motor and cognitive functions such as timing, motor coordination and planning, and attention. They are connected to one another but are very different structures.
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As mentioned previously, the cerebellum sits at the base of the brain and is involved in coordinating movement, maintaining balance, and fine-tuning motor actions. It receives input from the sensory systems, motor cortex, and brainstem, and sends output to the motor cortex and brainstem to control muscle tone, movement speed, and accuracy.

The basal ganglia, on the other hand, are a group of nuclei located deep in the brain, consisting of the striatum, globus pallidus, substantia nigra, and subthalamic nucleus. They are involved in motor planning and execution, as well as reward processing, habit formation, and emotion regulation. They receive input from the cortex and thalamus and send output to the motor cortex and brainstem to initiate and modulate movement.​

The Role of the Cerebellum in Balance

The cerebellum plays a crucial role in maintaining balance and coordination of movements. It receives input from sensory organs such as the inner ear, visual system, and proprioceptive system (which detects the position and movement of body parts), and integrates this information to coordinate and adjust body movements (Morton & Bastian, 2004).

The cerebellum uses this sensory input to generate motor commands that adjust the activity of muscles, tendons, and joints to maintain posture and balance. For example, when a person tilts forward, the cerebellum sends signals to the muscles in the legs and back to adjust their activity and prevent the person from falling.

The cerebellum also works in conjunction with other parts of the brain, such as the vestibular system and the brainstem, to control balance and posture. Together, these systems enable us to maintain balance and stability while standing, walking, or performing other movements (Barmack & Pettorossi, 2021).​

The Role of the Cerebellum in Memory

While the cerebellum is primarily known for its role in motor coordination and balance, functional imaging research suggests that it also plays a role in some aspects of memory (Desmond & Fiez, 1998). Specifically, studies show that the cerebellum contributes to working memory, implicit memory, and explicit memory. Let’s break down what each of these types of memory is.

Working Memory

Working memory is generally defined as the ability to hold and manipulate a small amount of information. This capacity facilitates comprehension, problem-solving, reasoning, and planning.

Implicit Memory

Implicit memories are unconscious and often unintentionally created. Learning a new skill such as roller skating is an example of implicit memory.

Explicit Memory

Explicit memory is basically the opposite of implicit memory. These are memories that are created consciously and that can be described verbally. A memory of an important event is an example of explicit memory.​

Damage to the Cerebellum: Ataxia

Cerebellar ataxia is a neurological disorder that is characterized by a lack of muscle coordination, which can result in unsteady gait, difficulty with fine motor tasks, as well as speech and eye movement abnormalities. This disorder can be caused by several different factors, including genetic mutations, autoimmune disorders, infections, toxins, trauma, and tumors (Marsden & Harris, 2011).
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Symptoms of cerebellar ataxia can vary depending on the underlying cause and the severity of the condition. Common symptoms include unsteady gait, tremors, difficulty with fine motor tasks such as writing, and slurred or slow speech. In more severe cases, individuals with cerebellar ataxia may also experience difficulty swallowing, vision problems, and cognitive impairment (Marsden, 2018).

There is no cure for cerebellar ataxia but treatment options are available to help manage symptoms and improve quality of life. Treatments may include physical therapy to improve balance and coordination, medications to manage tremors or other symptoms, and assistive devices to help with mobility and daily tasks.​

Hypoplasia in the Cerebellum

Hypoplasia is a medical term that refers to the underdevelopment or incomplete development of a tissue or organ. In the context of the cerebellum, hypoplasia refers to a condition where the cerebellum is smaller than normal or has fewer cells than it should (Poretti et al., 2014).

Cerebellar hypoplasia can occur as a result of various genetic, environmental, or developmental factors. It can be present at birth (congenital) or develop later in life. Some causes of cerebellar hypoplasia include genetic disorders, such as Dandy-Walker syndrome and Joubert syndrome, exposure to certain toxins during pregnancy, infections such as rubella or cytomegalovirus, and traumatic brain injury (Poretti et al., 2014).

Stroke in the Cerebellum

Because the cerebellum performs so many important functions, stroke in the cerebellum can have a significant impact on several aspects of daily life (Stoodley et al., 2016). Below are a few examples of possible symptoms following a stroke in the cerebellum.
​
  • Ataxia
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Headache
  • Dizziness and vertigo
  • Difficulty speaking
  • Difficulty with eye movements and double vision
  • Deficits in attention and working

The severity and duration of these symptoms may vary depending on the extent of the damage and the location of the stroke in the cerebellum. Rehabilitation, physical therapy, and medication may be used to manage symptoms and improve the quality of life for individuals who suffered a cerebellar stroke.

The Cerebellum and White Matter

The cerebellum is a highly complex structure in the brain that consists of both gray matter and white matter. The terms ‘gray matter’ and ‘white matter’ refer to regions that are composed mostly of cell bodies and dendrites or the axons of those cells. Areas that are densely populated with cell bodies and dendrites are called gray matter and areas that contain mostly axons are called white matter.

White matter in the cerebellum consists of myelinated axons, which are long, thin structures that transmit electrical impulses between neurons. Myelin is a fatty substance that wraps around these axons, allowing for faster transmission of impulses.
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The white matter in the cerebellum is organized into a complex network of pathways that allow for the coordination of movement, balance, and other motor functions. The white matter in the cerebellum plays a critical role in connecting different regions of the cerebellum and transmitting information between the cerebellum and other parts of the brain.​

Articles Related to The Cerebellum

​Want to learn more? Check out these articles:

Books Related to The Cerebellum

If you’d like to keep learning more, here are a few books that you might be interested in.

Final Thoughts on the Cerebellum

The cerebellum is a unique and interesting brain structure with a plethora of important functions. It supports fine motor control, motor timing, walking, speech, attention, posture, spatial orientation, balance, and motor planning – just to name a few. It also has a highly organized structure and immense processing power. It comprises more neurons than all other brain regions combined even though it only occupies 10% of the total brain volume. If you would like to learn more about the wonders of the cerebellum, check out this video:​

Video: The Cerebellum

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