Cerebellum:

In Latin, the word cerebellum means little brain. The cerebellum is the area of the hindbrain that controls motor movement coordination, balance, equilibrium and muscle tone. Like the cerebral cortex, the cerebellum is comprised of white matter and a thin, outer layer of densely folded gray matter. The folded outer layer of the cerebellum (cerebellar cortex) has smaller and more compact folds than those of the cerebral cortex.

The cerebellum contains hundreds of millions of neurons for processing data. It relays information between body muscles and areas of the cerebral cortex that are involved in motor control.

Function:

The cerebellum is involved in several functions of the body including:

• Fine Movement Coordination
• Balance and Equilibrium
• Muscle Tone

Location:

Directionally, the cerebellum is situated at the base of the skull, above the brainstem and beneath the occipital lobes of the cerebral cortex.

Images:

• View a collection of images of the cerebellum.

More Information:

For additional information on the cerebellum, see:

• Cerebellum
  
• The Treasure at the Bottom of the Brain

Divisions of the Brain:

• Anatomy of the Brain
  
• Forebrain
  
  • Diencephalon
    
  • Telencephalon
• Midbrain
  
• Hindbrain
  
  • Metencephalon
    
  • Myelencephalon