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Central lobule

The central lobule of the cerebellum is a small, wedge-shaped structure located on the superior (upper) vermis, the midline region of the cerebellum. It is a key part of the cerebellar anatomy, forming a narrow band just anterior (in front) to the culmen and posterior (behind) to the lingula. The central lobule contributes to the regulation of trunk and limb movements, playing a critical role in coordination and postural control. On gross examination, it appears as a raised strip of cerebellar cortex bridging the two cerebellar hemispheres at the midline, and is often best visualized in mid-sagittal sections of the cerebellum.

Synonyms

  • Lobulus centralis (Latin term, commonly used in anatomical literature)

  • Central lobule of the vermis

  • Superior vermian lobule (occasionally used, though less specific)

Arterial Supply

  • Primarily supplied by the Superior Cerebellar Artery (SCA), a branch of the basilar artery.

  • Smaller contributions may arise from the Anterior Inferior Cerebellar Artery (AICA), depending on individual anatomical variations.

Venous Drainage

  • Venous blood from the central lobule is primarily drained by the Superior Cerebellar Veins, which empty into the Great Cerebral Vein (Vein of Galen) and the straight sinus.

  • Additional drainage can occur via the precentral cerebellar veins.

Function

  • Coordinates axial (trunk) muscle control and posture.

  • Integrates proprioceptive information from the spinal cord (mainly via the spinocerebellar tracts).

  • Assists in the fine-tuning of voluntary movements, especially those involving the trunk and proximal limbs.

MRI Appearance

  • On T1-weighted images: Appears isointense to surrounding cerebellar cortex, with clear definition in mid-sagittal views as a narrow, midline band anterior to the culmen.

  • On T2-weighted images: Central lobule is slightly hyperintense compared to white matter, and can be delineated by adjacent fissures (precentral and primary fissures).

  • High-resolution 3T or 7T MRI: Provides better detail, showing layered structure and connectivity.

CT Appearance

  • The central lobule is usually indistinct from surrounding cerebellar tissue due to limited gray-white contrast on standard CT.

  • It can sometimes be identified on high-resolution, thin-slice, midline images as a subtle midline structure anterior to the culmen.

  • CT is less sensitive for differentiating small vermian lobules, but gross swelling or atrophy of the region may be appreciated in pathological states.

Central lobule MRI 3T axial image

Central lobule MRI 3T coronal image

Central lobule MRI 3T sagittal image

CT image

Central lobule CT image