cerebellum

American  

[ser-uh-bel-uhm] / ˌsɛr əˈbɛl əm /

noun

Anatomy, Zoology.

cerebellums, plural cerebella plural

1. a large portion of the brain, serving to coordinate voluntary movements, posture, and balance in humans, being in back of and below the cerebrum and consisting of two lateral lobes and a central lobe.

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cerebellum British  

/ ˌsɛrɪˈbɛləm /

noun

1. one of the major divisions of the vertebrate brain, situated in man above the medulla oblongata and beneath the cerebrum, whose function is coordination of voluntary movements and maintenance of bodily equilibrium

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cerebellum Scientific  

/ sĕr′ə-bĕl′əm /

cerebellums plural

1. The part of the vertebrate brain that is located below the cerebrum at the rear of the skull and that coordinates balance and muscle activity. In mammals, the cerebellum is made up of two connecting hemispheres that consist of a core of white matter surrounded by gray matter.

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cerebellum Cultural  

1. The part of the brain that helps control muscle coordination.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• precerebellar
  adjective
• cerebellar
  adjective
• supercerebellar
  adjective
• subcerebellar
  adjective
• postcerebellar
  adjective

Inflected Forms

noun

• cerebella
  plural
• cerebellums
  plural

Etymology

Origin of cerebellum

1555–65; < Latin: brain, diminutive of cerebrum; see cerebrum; for formation, see castellum

Compare meaning

How does cerebellum compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• cerebrum vs. cerebellum

Explanation

If you’re a professional juggler, you can thank your cerebellum for your great coordination. The cerebellum is the part of your brain that handles motor control. The word cerebellum entered English in the 16th century from the Latin word of the same name, meaning "little brain." The cerebellum is located at the base of the brain, near the back of your head. It looks like a separate structure stuck onto the rest of your brain — so in a sense, it’s like a “little brain.” In addition to motor control, the cerebellum is responsible for balance and muscle tone.

Example Sentences

Figure 16.15 Major Regions of the Cerebellum The cerebellum can be divided into two basic regions: the midline and the hemispheres.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

Figure 13.13 The Cerebellum The cerebellum is situated on the posterior surface of the brain stem.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

Cells from the Gray Matter of the Cerebellum.

From A Practical Physiology by Blaisdell, Albert F.

The brain and Cerebellum are protected by the skull, and the brain is formed before the bones which invest it.

From Christian Phrenology A Guide to Self-Knowledge by Bunney, Joseph

What are the various uses of the Cerebrum, Cerebellum, and Medulla Oblongata?

From The Fulfilment of a Dream of Pastor Hsi's The Story of the Work in Hwochow by Cable, Mildred

Related Words

• head
• intellect
• mind