What is the Difference Between Cerebrum and Cerebellum

Cerebrum and cerebellum are two major parts of the brain with different functions. The cerebrum is the largest part of the brain, whereas the cerebellum is a much smaller part of the brain.

What is the difference between cerebrum and cerebellum? The cerebrum is involved in higher-order thinking, sensory perception, and emotional processing, while the cerebellum is involved in fine-tuning motor movements, balance, and coordination.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is the Cerebrum  
      – Definition, Features
2. What is the Cerebellum
      – Definition, Features
3. Similarities Between Cerebrum and Cerebellum
      – Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Cerebrum and Cerebellum
      – Comparison of Key Differences
5. FAQ: Cerebrum and Cerebellum
      – Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Key Terms

Cerebrum, Cerebellum, Brain

What is the Cerebrum

The cerebrum is the largest and the most complex form of the brain. It mainly acts as the control center. It is located at the top and in front of the head. The cerebrum can be divided into two hemispheres, namely left and right. The two hemispheres are connected by a bridge called the corpus callosum. Each hemisphere is specialized with specific areas called lobes.

The frontal lobe is involved in planning, problem-solving, personality development, and decision-making. The temporal lobe is involved in language skills. The occipital lobe is involved in interpreting visual information and processing them. The parietal lobe integrates various sensory inputs, allowing us to feel the texture of a fabric while seeing its colour. There are many other functions of the cerebrum other than conscious thought, such as regulating emotions.

Beneath the outer layer of the cerebrum, known as the cerebral cortex, there is a hidden world of white matter. This area has millions of nerve fibers transmitting messages between different brain regions. This network ensures effective communication, which allows us to react quickly and perform complex tasks.

Damage to the cerebrum can have devastating consequences, affecting everything from movement and speech to memory and emotional control.

What is the Cerebellum

The cerebellum is located in the posterior cranial fossa, surrounded by the skull’s bony base. Tentorium cerebelli, a fold in the dura mater separates it from the occipital and temporal lobes. Cerebellum ‘s bulk is formed by two hemispheres which are connected by a central ridge called vermis. The surface is heavily folded in order to increase the surface area for densely packed neurons. Moreover, the cerebellar cortex has different types of cells performing different tasks: Purkinje cells, granule cells, and interneurons.

The cerebellum’s hemispheres are divided into lobes by deep grooves called fissures. The three main lobes are the anterior lobe, posterior lobe, and flocculonodular lobe. The anterior lobe that is located in the front is responsible for regulating muscle tone and fine-tuning ongoing movements. The posterior lobe located behind the anterior lobe contributes to balance and spatial awareness. The flocculonodular lobe, which is present beneath the other two lobes, is involved in balance and eye movements.

The cerebellum’s most well-known function is motor control. The cerebellum receives information from sensory inputs and motor commands. It then compares the information and refines the motor commands ensuring smooth coordinated actions. Apart from the above function, the cerebellum is also involved in balance and posture, learning, memory and speech, and language.

Damage to the cerebellum can significantly impact a person’s life. Common symptoms include tremors, difficulty with balance and coordination, slurred speech, and problems with learning new skills.

Similarities Between Cerebrum and Cerebellum

1. The cerebrum and cerebellum are composed of two hemispheres.
2. Both structures have an outer layer of grey matter.
3. The cerebrum and cerebellum rely on a rich network of blood vessels to deliver oxygen and nutrients necessary for their proper functioning.

Difference Between Cerebrum and Cerebellum

Definition

• The cerebrum is the largest and the most complex form of the brain, located at the top and in front of the head, whereas the cerebellum is the area of the brain in the back of the head between the cerebrum and the brain stem.

Size

• The cerebrum is the largest part of the brain, whereas the cerebellum is a much smaller part of the brain.

Weight

• The cerebrum is about 80% of the total weight of the brain whereas cerebellum is 10% of the total weight.

Location

• The cerebrum occupies the top and front portion of the brain, forming the largest part of the forebrain, while the cerebellum is located beneath the cerebrum, in the posterior cranial fossa, belonging to the hindbrain.

Connections to Other Areas

• The cerebrum has extensive connections with other brain regions, allowing for complex information integration and processing. On the other hand, the cerebellum’s connections are more focused, primarily interacting with brain areas involved in movement and sensory processing.

Function

• The cerebrum is responsible for tasks like thinking, planning, memory, emotion, and sensory processing. The cerebellum, on the other hand, focuses on the intricate details of movement, balance, coordination, and some aspects of motor learning.

Conclusion

The cerebrum is the largest part of the brain, whereas the cerebellum is a much smaller part of the brain. The main difference between the cerebrum and cerebrum is their function. While the cerebrum governs higher-order thinking, sensory perception, and emotional processing, the cerebellum fine-tunes motor movements, balance, and coordination.

FAQ: Cerebrum and Cerebellum

1. What are the functions of the cerebrum?

The cerebrum receives information from your senses (sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell), interprets it, and allows you to understand the world around you. It then initiates your voluntary movements, like walking or talking. The cerebrum is also essential for learning and storing memories, processing language, and even complex emotions and thoughts.

2. What is the cerebellum responsible for?

The cerebellum is responsible for and is involved in balance, coordination of movement, timing and sequencing, motor learning, cognitive function and speech and language.

3. Is walking cerebrum or cerebellum?

The part of the human brain that is mainly responsible for walking in a straight line is the cerebellum. It helps coordinate and fine-tune movements, allowing you to maintain balance and walk smoothly in a straight line.

4. What part of the brain is responsible for emotions?

Three brain structures appear most closely linked with emotions. They are the amygdala, the insula or insular cortex, and a structure in the midbrain called the periaqueductal grey.

5. Can you exercise your cerebellum?

Engaging in activities that require coordination and balance, like yoga, dance, or martial arts, can help stimulate the cerebellum. By challenging the cerebellum with these exercises, you can improve its function and enhance neural connectivity, which can lead to better overall motor control and coordination.

Reference:

1. “Neuroanatomy, Cerebellum.” National Library of Medicine.
2. “Cerebrum.” Encyclopedia Britannica. 

Image Courtesy:

1. “Gehirn, lateral – Lobi + Stammhirn + Cerebellum eng” By NEUROtiker – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia