EXPORT CITATION

Chapter 14.3 The Cerebellum and Basal Ganglia

BOOK TITLE: Understanding Medical Physiology: A Textbook for Medical Students

Author
1. Bijlani R.L.
ISBN
9788180612213
DOI
10.5005/jp/books/10999_101
Edition
3/e
Publishing Year
2004
Pages
8
Author Affiliations
1. All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi
Chapter keywords
cerebellum, basal ganglia, cortex, brainstem, spinal cord, neurons, transverse furrows, anterior lobe, posterior lobe, flocculonodular lobe, afferent fibres, Purkinje cells, gamma-aminobutyric acid, GABA, cerebellar nuclei, putamen, globus pallidus, subthalamic nucleus, substantia nigra

Abstract

This chapter discusses the cerebellum and basal ganglia, which are not serially arranged in the hierarchy cortex-brainstem-spinal cord, but contribute in a significant way to the refinement of motor function. The cerebellum is a compact part of the brain, densely packed with neurons. The cerebellum is divided by two transverse furrows, or grooves, into three lobes, such as anterior lobe, posterior lobe and flocculonodular lobe. The white matter contains two types of afferent fibres, where one of these is the climbing fibres, which bring information only from the inferior olivary nuclei, and establish excitatory synapses with Purkinje cells. Purkinje cells employ gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) as a neurotransmitter, and inhibit the neurons of the deep cerebellar nuclei. The basal ganglia seem to be a primitive version of the cerebral cortex and are richly connected with it. The basal ganglia consist of caudate nucleus, putamen, globus pallidus, subthalamic nucleus, and substantia nigra.

© 2019 Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers (P) LTD.   |   All Rights Reserved