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Simple lobule

The Simple Lobule of the Cerebellum (also known as lobulus simplex) is a prominent cerebellar structure situated on the superior surface of the cerebellar hemisphere, forming part of the anterior lobe. It is bounded anteriorly by the precentral lobule and posteriorly by the superior semilunar lobule (also known as the quadrangular lobule). The simple lobule is visible on the dorsal aspect of the cerebellum and plays a role in coordinating voluntary motor activities. It is involved in integrating sensory input and fine-tuning motor control, contributing to balance, posture, and the precision of movement.

Synonyms

  • Lobulus simplex

  • Simplex lobule

  • Lobulus simplex cerebelli

Arterial Supply

  • Primarily supplied by the Superior Cerebellar Artery (SCA)

  • May receive minor contributions from branches of the Anterior Inferior Cerebellar Artery (AICA)

Venous Drainage

  • Drained by the Superior Cerebellar Veins

  • Venous blood ultimately empties into the Great Cerebral Vein (of Galen) and the straight sinus

Function

  • Integration and fine coordination of voluntary motor movements

  • Regulation of muscle tone

  • Contribution to balance and postural adjustments

  • Processing of proprioceptive information from the spinal cord

MRI Appearance

  • Appears as a well-defined folial structure on the dorsal surface of the cerebellum

  • Isointense with surrounding cerebellar cortex on T1-weighted images

  • iso- to hyperintense on T2-weighted and FLAIR images 

  • The folia are seen as thin, curvilinear hypointense lines separated by slightly hyperintense intervening white matter

CT Appearance

  • Difficult to delineate as a separate structure due to limited contrast between gray and white matter on CT

  • Appears as part of the cerebellar cortex, which is isodense to other cerebellar lobules

  • May be better appreciated in the presence of pathology (e.g., infarct or mass effect)

  • Subtle separation by fissures may sometimes be visualized in high-resolution CT scans

MRI images

Simple lobule MRI 3T axial image

MRI images

Simple lobule MRI 3T coronal image

MRI images

Simple lobule sagittal 3T MRI image

CT image

Simple lobule of cerebellum CT sag anatomy image -img-00001-00001