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Anterior quadrangular lobule

The anterior quadrangular lobule is a well-defined anatomical subdivision of the cerebellum, located in the anterior portion of the cerebellar hemisphere. It plays a significant role in the coordination of voluntary movements, particularly those involving the trunk and limbs. Situated between the primary and precentral fissures, it forms part of the cerebellar anterior lobe and lies adjacent to the vermis (lingula and central lobule). It is clinically relevant due to its involvement in motor function and potential implications in cerebellar pathologies.

Anatomy

  • The anterior quadrangular lobule is located in the anterior (rostral) part of the cerebellar hemisphere.

  • Bounded medially by the vermis, anteriorly by the precentral fissure, and posteriorly by the primary fissure.

  • Forms the lateral part of the anterior lobe of the cerebellum.

  • Corresponds to lobules IV and V in the Larsell nomenclature.

  • Lies lateral to the central lobule (vermis) and medial to the simple lobule.

Synonyms

  • Lobulus quadrangularis anterior

  • Anterior quadrangular lobule (English)

  • Quadrangular lobule, pars anterior

  • Lobulus quadrangularis, pars anterior (Latin)

  • Occasionally referred to as the “quadrangular lobule (anterior part)” in some texts

Arterial Supply

  • Supplied primarily by the superior cerebellar artery (SCA).

  • Branches of the SCA provide perfusion to the anterior lobe, including the anterior quadrangular lobule.

  • May receive minor contributions from the anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA) in some anatomical variants.

Venous Drainage

  • Drained mainly by the superior cerebellar veins, which empty into the great cerebral vein (vein of Galen) or straight sinus.

  • Some drainage may occur via cortical cerebellar veins into the transverse and straight sinuses.

Function

  • Involved in the regulation and coordination of voluntary motor activity, especially of the limbs and trunk.

  • Plays a key role in proprioception and fine-tuning motor commands.

  • Contributes to the maintenance of posture and balance via its connections with the spinal cord and motor cortex (spinocerebellar and cerebrocerebellar pathways).

  • Lesions may cause limb ataxia or impaired coordination.

MRI Appearance

  • Appears as a well-demarcated, foliated structure in the anterior-superior part of the cerebellar hemisphere on T1- and T2-weighted images.

  • Shows intermediate signal intensity similar to other cerebellar cortex regions.

  • May be better visualized on sagittal and coronal planes, anterior to the primary fissure.

  • Atrophy or signal changes may be observed in cases of cerebellar degeneration or infarction.

CT Appearance

  • Visible as part of the cerebellar hemisphere anterior to the primary fissure.

  • Appears as a low-density area corresponding to the cerebellar cortex, with underlying higher-density white matter.

  • Subtle differentiation from adjacent lobules; major fissures (precentral and primary) may assist in identification.

  • Pathologies such as infarction or hemorrhage in this area may be appreciated as hypodense (infarct) or hyperdense (hemorrhage) lesions.

MRI images

Anterior quadrangular lobule MRI 3T axial image

MRI images

Anterior quadrangular lobule MRI 3T coronal image

MRI images

Anterior quadrangular lobule MRI 3T sagittal image

CT image

Anterior quadrangular lobule of cerebellum anatomy CT sagittal anatomy image -img-00001-00001