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A century of cerebellar somatotopy: a debated representation

Nature Reviews Neuroscience volume 5, pages 241–249 (2004)Cite this article

Abstract

The existence of functional localization within the cerebellum was advanced exactly one century ago by both comparative anatomical and physiological studies. Here, we will discuss how models of cerebellar localization have evolved over the last 100 years. Like the somatotopic representation in neocortical sensorimotor areas, the representation size of different body parts in the cerebellum does not reflect their peripheral extent, but rather the different demands on the sensory inputs for different movements.

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Figure 1: Unfolded view of the cerebellar cortex showing lobes, lobules (by name and number) and main fissures.
Figure 2: The evolution of cerebellar somatotopy from Bolk to Snider and Stowell.
Figure 3: Zonal organization of olivocorticonuclear connections.
Figure 4: The fractured somatotopy of the cerebellar cortex.
Figure 5: Functional somatotopy of the cerebellum.

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Acknowledgements

The authors express thanks to L. Mandolesi for her skillful and creative craftwomanship in preparing illustrations. This work was supported by MIUR grants to E.M. and L.P.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. the Institute of Human Physiology, Catholic University, Rome

    Ermanno Manni

  2. the Department of Psychology, University of Rome 'La Sapienza', and IRCCS Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy

    Laura Petrosini

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Correspondence to Laura Petrosini.

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cerebellum: anatomy and organization

cerebellum: movement regulation and cognitive functions

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Manni, E., Petrosini, L. A century of cerebellar somatotopy: a debated representation. Nat Rev Neurosci 5, 241–249 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrn1347

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