Interposed nucleus

Interposed Nucleus

The Interposed Nucleus is a structure found in the cerebellum, a region of the brain that plays an important role in motor control. It is part of the deep cerebellar nuclei, which are clusters of neurons (nerve cells) that serve as the primary output for all motor coordination in the cerebellum.

Diagram showing the position of the Interposed Nucleus in the cerebellum.

Structure

The Interposed Nucleus is located in the white matter of the cerebellum, and is composed of two smaller nuclei: the globose nucleus and the emboliform nucleus. These nuclei are collectively referred to as the interposed nucleus due to their location, interposed between the dentate nucleus and the fastigial nucleus.

Function

The Interposed Nucleus receives input from the Purkinje cells of the cerebellar cortex and sends output to various parts of the brain and spinal cord. This output is primarily directed towards the red nucleus and the thalamic nuclei in the brain, which are involved in motor coordination and sensory information processing.

Clinical Significance

Damage or disease affecting the Interposed Nucleus can lead to a variety of motor disorders, including ataxia, a lack of voluntary coordination of muscle movements, and dysmetria, a lack of control over the range of movement in muscle actions.

See Also

• Cerebellum
• Deep cerebellar nuclei
• Globose nucleus
• Emboliform nucleus