cerebellum

(noun)

Part of the hindbrain in vertebrates; in humans it lies between the brainstem and the cerebrum and plays an important role in sensory perception, motor output, balance, and posture.

Related Terms

Examples of cerebellum in the following topics:

  • Lower-Level Structures

    • The brain's lower-level structures consist of the brain stem, the spinal cord, and the cerebellum.
    • The brain's lower-level structures consist of the brain stem and spinal cord, along with the cerebellum.
    • The cerebellum is attached to the dorsal side of the pons.
    • The cerebellum is a separate region of the brain located behind the medulla oblongata and pons.
    • The main function of the cerebellum is this muscle coordination.

  • Neural Correlates of Memory Consolidation

    • The hippocampus, amygdala, and cerebellum play important roles in the consolidation and manipulation of memory.
    • Consolidation occurs through communication between several parts of the brain, including the hippocampus, the amygdala, and the cerebellum.
    • The cerebellum plays a role in the learning of procedural memory (i.e., routine, "practiced" skills), and motor learning, such as skills requiring coordination and fine motor control.
    • But a person with damage to their cerebellum would have the opposite problem: they would remember their declarative memories, but would have trouble with procedural memories like playing the piano.
    • A vertical cross-section of the human cerebellum, showing the folding pattern of the cortex, and interior structures.

  • The Central Nervous System (CNS)

    • The brain is found in the cranial cavity and consists of the cerebrum and cerebellum.
    • The cerebellum is located underneath the backside of the cerebrum, and governs balance and fine motor movements.

  • Development of the Human Brain

    • It includes the cerebellum, reticular formation, and brain stem, which are responsible for some of the most basic autonomic functions of life, such as breathing and movement.

  • Physical Development in Late Adulthood

    • The cerebellum, which is responsible for balance and coordination, eventually loses about 25 percent of its neurons as well.

  • Theories of Multiple Intelligence

    • For example, Kim Peek is a savant who was born with considerable brain damage including an enlarged head, a missing corpus callosum (the fibers that connect the two hemispheres of the brain), and a damaged cerebellum.