The Nervous System, The Cerebellum
The cerebellum is the control centre for the coordination of: voluntary muscle activity, equilibrium, and muscle tonus. It does not initiate movement and therefore a person who has cerebellar activity does not become paralysed. Rather his movements are: slow, clumsy, temulous and uncoordinated The muscles may be hypotonic and the person unable to walk steadily and tends to sway, stagger and fall. To carry out its three functions, the cerebellum needs to receive information concerning: what "orders" are being sent from the cerebral motor cortex the "equilibrium state of the body the position and state of muscles and joints and the amount of tonus present. Inputs are then integrated and feedback for regulation and control motor activity, equilibrium and muscle tonus. Cerabellar Organisation: Lobes and Regions The cerebellum has 3 major Lobes, each associated with distinct syndromes if damaged: Anterior Lobe Posterior ...