Neuroanatomy Draw It To Know It

262 Neuroanatomy: Draw It to Know It

Nuclei & Circuitry ( Advanced ) (Cont.)

Next, show that the deep cerebellar nuclei send excit-
atory fi bers to structures throughout the central nervous
system. Th e majority of eff erent information that leaves
the cerebellum does so from the deep cerebellar nuclei,
which act through the excitatory neurotransmitter glu-
tamate, most notably.
Now, indicate that the molecular and granule cell
layers fi lter and temporally pattern information as it is

transmitted to the Purkinje layer. Indicate that the

Purkinje layer, which is the sole recipient of this post-

processed information, sends inhibitory fi bers to the

deep cerebellar nuclei. Th us the cerebellar cortex, acting

through the Purkinje layer, is an important modulating

force on the deep cerebellar nuclei. Th e Purkinje cells

act through the inhibitory neurotransmitter gamma-

aminobutyric acid (GABA).^1 – 11 , 19 – 23

(to thalamus)

Molecular layer

Purkinje cell layer

Granule cell layer

Golgi cell

Glomerulus

Neuron in deep

cerebellar nucleus

Granule cell

Mossy fiber (from pontine

nuclei and most other sources)

Climbing fiber (from

inferior olivary nucleus)

Purkinje cell

Basket cell

Parallel fiber

JEB

FIGURE 15-4 Cerebellar histological architecture. Used with permission from Bruni, J. E. & Montemurro, D. G. Human Neuroanatomy: A Text, Brain
Atlas, and Laboratory Dissection Guide. New York: Oxford University Press, 2009.