Structure of the brain: cerebellum, functions

From anatomy we know that the brain consists of such departments as the oblong, middle, intermediate, posterior and terminal brain. In turn, the hindbrain is divided into the variolium bridge and the cerebellum, the structure and functions of which we will consider in this article.

It should be noted that in the cerebellum there are two hemispheres, an intermediate compartment and, so-called, a worm, the surfaces of which are divided by parallel furrows, between which there are convolutions, while its entire surface is eight hundred and fifty centimeters square. Groups of convolutions form the lobes of the cerebellum, its furrows are solid and pass from the worm to the hemisphere.

Each meander is a thin layer of a white substance, covered with a gray (corona) one millimeter in thickness. The cerebellum, whose functions are connected with its structure, has lower legs (have a direction to the medulla oblongata), middle (are directed to the bridge) and upper (are directed to the quadruple). It is also connected with all other departments of the central nervous system by numerous conducting ways, through which impulses from muscles, ligaments, cerebral cortex and tendons are transmitted, the cerebellum also transmits impulses along these channels to other departments of the National Assembly. Thus, this part of the brain participates in the regulation of motor activity, makes the movements precise, smooth and proportionate.

It is important to note that as the organ that enters the system of regulation of movements, the cerebellum of the function performs the following:

1) regulation of muscle tone and body posture;

2) coordination of rapid movements.

3) coordination of purposeful movements;

All these functions are best disassembled in accordance with the classification of the departments of the cerebellum. Let's consider in detail what functions the cerebellum performs, in particular, each of its departments.

The worm is associated with controlling the balance of the body, tone and posture. It is this zone that receives information about the state and position of the locomotor apparatus, then after its processing certain commands are sent to the vestibular apparatus. It should be noted that the removal of the worm of the cerebellum leads to an increase in the tone of the extensors, there is also a disturbance of balance, synergy, the center of gravity, and ataxia occurs.

Intermediate department is responsible for the targeted movements and their correction, as well as for choosing the best position for the movement. His defeat leads to hypermetry, imbalance.

The hemispheres of the cerebellum are responsible for the occurrence of very fast, definitely directed movements that arise independently of the information coming from the spinal cord. These movements can be observed in sports or when playing musical instruments. The defeat of this area of the brain causes the appearance of ataxia of the limbs, trembling, misses, muscle hypotension and megalography.

More recently, scientists have been shown that the cerebellum of the function has other, for example, it is to some extent responsible for the functionality of organs and tissues. If you remove the cerebellum, then there will be a violation of the work of the heart and blood vessels, respiratory system, gastrointestinal tract.

Thus, once again we note that the cerebellum, whose functions determine the nature of the pathology when it is disturbed, is involved in the regulation of the internal organs. Its defeat causes the appearance of such basic symptoms as asthenia (weakness of muscles), astasia (trembling movements of muscles) and atony (weakening of muscle tone). Also, it is quite often possible to observe the development of dis- metry - loss of accuracy of movement, ataxia - gait deformation, adiadochokinesis - loss of ability to perform a sequence of movements.

Thus, the cerebellum performs a number of functions that ensure the normal vital activity of the body. In addition to coordination of movements, it regulates the work of all internal organs and systems of man.