The Spinocerebellum Helps Coordinate MuscIeTone as Well as Limb Movement
The spinocerebellum extends rostrocaudally through the medial portion of the cerebellum (Figures 12-5 and 12-6). It receives sensory inputs from muscle and cutaneous receptors through the spinal cord and trigeminal nuclei.
It also receives input from neurons in spinal reflex circuits, some of which receive information from corticospinal or descending brainstem pathways. Some input to the spinocerebellar region also comes directly from the primary motor and primary somatosensory cortices. The spinocerebellum therefore receives information about commands for movement and significant information about the execution of the movement itself. Its outputs travel, through its deep cerebellar nuclei (specifically the fastigial and interpositus), to brainstem nuclei controlling the antigravity musculature (e.g., reticular nuclei), as well as to a brainstem nucleus controlling distal limb musculature (e.g., red nucleus). Some of the spinocerebellar output travels to the primary motor cortex by way of the thalamus. Through these output projections, the spinocerebellum can adjust the timing and coordination of movement and muscle tone. Such adjustments are presumably based on a comparison of spinocerebellar input regarding the movement command (e.g., from primary motor cortex) with feedback about the ongoing movement itself (e.g., from muscle, joint, and skin inputs). Because this portion of the cerebellum appeared next in evolution, it is sometimes called the paleocerebellum.
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