Neuroanatomy - anatomy.tv worksheet

Cerebellum

The cerebellum is the largest part of hindbrain and the second largest mass of nervous tissue in the brain.

Look over this diagram of the cerebellum. This is a posterior view and clearly shows the two cerebellar hemispheres.

This is the lateral shape.

Find the blood supply to the hemispheres, namely the superior cerebellar artery and the two inferior cerebellar arteries (anterior and posterior).

Look at the view from the anterior aspect of the brain. Note that the cerebellum is dorsal to the pons and the medulla oblongata.

Now, from the dorsal view we can identify all the venous sinuses that are in the region of the cerebellum. There should be four to identify.

Now look at the cerebellum in sagittal section. Note the location of the fourth ventricle. In this image we have removed the pons and medulla.

You can now see how the cerebellum is connected to the brainstem, through the peduncles. Can you identify the peduncles? There should be three.

When you look at a radiograph of the cerebellum often you can identify different parts. For example the vermis in the middle, and other lobes and lobules. Just be aware that they exist!

Why do you need to know about the cerebellum? It is involved in all the things that you don`t have to think about, like posture and coordinating movement.

Damage to the cerebellum can lead to loss of postural control, and people being unable to stand or sit without falling over. Damage also causes uncoordinated movement of limbs, speech and eye movement.

Remember that in the cerebellum lesions on one side affect the same side of the body, which is different to cerebral cortical lesions which affect the opposite side of the body.

The cerebellum (anatomy.tv)

Pons

Pons means ‘bridge’ in latin. This is the connection between the medulla and the mid-brain.

In this ventral image of the pons, you can see how the pituitary and hypothalamus are located. Can you find the mid-brain in this image? We`ll come back to that later.

Note the artery that runs straight over the pons in its mid-line. What is it called?

Can you identify the big fat cranial nerve coming out of the pons? It has two roots (motor and sensory). Can you distinguish them? Can you also find CN roots to IV, VI and VIII?

Why do you need to know about the pons? Well it is the pathway or ‘bridging’ part of the brain, linking the cerebellum and cerebrum to the spinal cord. Its primary functions include controlling breathing and, something I'm sure you will all find interesting, arousal!

But it is also home to the nuclei for the cranial nerves V, VI, and VII.

Also remember that the posterior part of the pons forms the anterior wall of the 4th ventricle.

The pons (anatomy.tv)

The medulla oblongata

The medulla oblongata is the most caudal part of the brain. inferior to this we are left with spinal cord.

Now, the medulla is split into different parts, namely the pyramids and the olives. There is a fissure and a sulcus involved in dividing them…find them and name them.

Turning the medulla around you can see longitudinal areas that are two different nuclei. They receive sensory information from the limbs; one is designated to the upper limb and one to the lower limb. Which is which?

The medulla rearranges nerve tracts passing through it - in other words, it gets very complicated. The cranial nerve nuclei for CN VIII, X, XII are here, as is the huge nucleus for CN V that spans the length of the brainstem.

So, in general terms what does the medulla do? Again it is an old part of the brain, so i ttakes care of many autonomic functions such as breathing, blood pressure regulation, swallowing and a few other bodily functions that you can look up!

The medulla oblongata (anatomy.tv)