The Cerebellum
Structure: The cerebellum lies at the base of the brain, just below the occipital lobe. It is at the junction where the spinal cord meets the brain. Like the cerebrum, the cerebellum is split into two hemispheres. It is a relatively small portion of the brain (about 10% of the total weight), but it contains 50% of the neurons.
Function: The cerebellum is responsible for regulating and coordinating voluntary motor movements and behaviors. It functions by receiving information from sensory systems, the spinal cord and other parts of the brain. With this information, the cerebellum makes movements such as posture, balance, coordination and speech smooth and balanced. |