Cerebellar nuclei

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The gray matter structures are the cerebellar cortex and cerebellar nuclei. The cerebellar cortex is the superficial sheet of densely packed nerve cells organized into three distinct layers (from superficial to deep):

• Molecular layer 
• Purkinje cell layer 
• Granular layer 

The deep gray matter is embedded in the white matter of the cerebellum and organized in four deep cerebellar nuclei. These nuclei are arranged in the following order (medial to lateral):

• Fastigial nuclei
• Globose nuclei
• Emboliform nuclei
• Dentate nuclei

The globose and emboliform nuclei can functionally be grouped into a structure called the interposed nuclei.

Although output from the cerebellum originates from both the cerebellar cortex and nuclei, it should be noted that the latter are by far the main source of cerebellar output.

This video tutorial will provide you with an overview of the cerebellar nuclei.

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Browse atlas

Take a closer look at the cerebellar nuclei in the gallery below. 

Summary