Human cerebellum: its parts and functions

The cerebellum it is much more than a kind of younger brother of the neocortex, cornered half hidden between the occipital lobe and the brainstem. In fact, this curious structure resembling a flattened ball of wool is one of the most important parts of the brain.

Moreover, it is considered that in most cases the proper functioning of the cerebellum is essential for us to survive and in cases where this rule is not met they become news.

Although it is an apparently quite discrete structure because it is partly hidden by the cerebral cortex, the cerebellum is one of the areas of the brain with the highest density of neurons. In fact, about half of the neurons of the brain are located in this structure. But... Why is it so important that the cerebellum is in good condition? What processes are you in charge of?

The functions of the cerebellum

Years ago the functioning of the cerebellum and the coordination of the activation of the muscles have been related. Thus, it was considered that the task of the cerebellum was, basically, to make it possible for us to maintain balance, that we can coordinate simple and complex movements and, in general, that the muscles of our body respond faithfully and effectively to the commands issued brain.

For example, it was considered that one of the main symptoms of alterations in the cerebellum is the loss of balance after drinking too much alcohol. However, in recent years it has been discovered that the idea that the role of the cerebellum has to do with motor coordination is too simplistic. A) Yes, the cerebellum is not only involved in motor processes, but also plays an important role in many other functions.

The cerebellum in the regulation of emotions

One of the connecting pathways of the cerebellum unites this structure with large areas of the limbic system, which is the one that is related to the appearance and maintenance over time of the emotional states that stain our experiences. Being in communication with structures such as the amygdala, the cerebellum has the ability to intervene in the regulation of the emotional states that appear.

Thus, for example, part of the functions of the cerebellum have to do with creating associations between sensations and feelings, which serves as support for future learning by relating certain experiences to feelings concrete.

The cerebellum and cognitive processes

The fact that the cerebellum has such a density of neurons and that it is connected with large areas of the cerebral cortex makes the idea that it has something to do with cognitive processes such as memory or care management doesn't sound far-fetched. There is currently some research pointing in that direction.

For example, It has been seen than size of the cerebellum could be related to the level of intelligence that one has. In addition, from studies that observe the effects that a lesion in the cerebellum has on the capacities mental disorders of the patients, it has been possible to relate the dysfunction in this structure with attention deficits and the use of language.

The complicated thing about investigating this is that from these studies based on cases of cerebellar injury it is not possible to know if the decrease in cognitive abilities is due to the fact that neurons involved in them have died (being located in the area of ​​the injury) or if these effects are due to an imbalance in the functioning of the brain caused by the injury. So that, much more research is needed to see if the role of the cerebellum in cognitive functions is as important as those studies seem to suggest.

The cerebellum and motor coordination

Old ideas about the role of the cerebellum as the focal point for muscle activation have not been disproved. Today it is still considered that this structure has a leading role in coordinating movements, maintenance of balance and monitoring of neural signals aimed at activating muscles.

As the cerebellum is connected to many areas of the brain, it crosses the motor information elaborated in the upper regions of the brain with the most "concrete" and operational motor information aimed at activating muscle fibers, and checks that there are no inconsistencies between both. What's more, there is a debate generated around the possibility that one of the functions of the cerebellum is motor learning, that is, the ability to refine a pattern of movements so that it is perfected more and more.

Structure of the cerebellum

The cerebellum may be relatively small, but its composition is very complex. Although we can talk at length about the different parts and subdivisions of the parts of the cerebellum, this time we will focus only on the broader categorization of the structures of the cerebellum, that is, the parts that can be easily seen with the naked eye (as long as you have a brain ahead, of course).

The hemispheres of the cerebellum

The cerebellum is similar to the rest of the brain in that it is also covered by a layer of cells that create a rough, creased surface. Although, yes, in the case of the cerebellum these folds are even tighter and thinner, as can be seen with the naked eye. That is why one of the structures or subregions of the cerebellum is known as the cerebellar cortex.

The cortex of the cerebellum is divided into two cerebellar hemispheres, in the same way that the cerebral cortex is divided into a right and a left hemisphere. In the middle of these hemispheres is a region called vermis, which is a vertical strip that joins both parts and connects them to each other.

The lobes of the cerebellum

Beyond this classification of parts of the cerebellar cortex, there are several lobes of the cerebellum, in the same way that each hemisphere of the cerebral cortex is divided into lobes of the brain. These lobes are the anterior lobe, the posterior lobe, and the flocculonodular lobe, ordered from top to bottom.