cerebellum

cer·e·bel·lum

noun \ˌser-ə-ˈbe-ləm, ˌse-rə-\

plural cer·e·bellums or cer·e·bel·la\-ˈbe-lə\

Definition of CEREBELLUM

: a large dorsally projecting part of the brain concerned especially with the coordination of muscles and the maintenance of bodily equilibrium, situated between the brain stem and the back of the cerebrum, and formed in humans of two lateral lobes and a median lobe — see brain illustration

— cer·e·bel·lar \-ˈbe-lər\ adjective

Origin of CEREBELLUM

Medieval Latin, from Latin, diminutive of cerebrum

First Known Use: 1543

cer·e·bel·lum

noun \ˌser-ə-ˈbel-əm\   (Medical Dictionary)

plural cer·e·bellums or cer·e·bel·la \-ˈbel-ə\

Medical Definition of CEREBELLUM

: a large dorsally projecting part of the brain concerned especially with the coordination of muscles and the maintenance of bodily equilibrium, situated between the brain stem and the back of the cerebrum and formed in humans of two lateral lobes and a median lobe

Illustration of CEREBELLUM

cerebellum

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Part of the brain that integrates sensory input from the inner ear and from proprioceptors (see proprioception) in muscle with nerve impulses from the cerebrum (see cerebral cortex), coordinating muscle responses to maintain balance and produce smooth, coordinated movements. Located below the cerebral hemispheres and behind the upper medulla oblongata and pons, each of its two connected hemispheres has a core of white matter within a cortex of gray matter. Disorders usually produce neuromuscular disturbances, in particular ataxia.