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Uvula of vermis

The Uvula of the vermis is a small, midline structure located on the inferior surface of the cerebellum. It forms part of the cerebellar vermis, which is the narrow, worm-like structure connecting the two cerebellar hemispheres. The uvula is positioned posteriorly, just anterior to the tonsils of the cerebellum and inferior to the folium of the vermis. It plays a role in the coordination of trunk and postural muscles due to its connections within the spinocerebellar system.

Synonyms

  • Uvula vermis cerebelli

  • Uvula of cerebellar vermis

  • Uvula (vermis)

Arterial Supply

  • Supplied primarily by branches of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA)

  • Some contribution may come from the superior cerebellar artery (SCA) depending on vascular variations

Venous Drainage

  • Venous blood is drained via the inferior cerebellar veins, which empty into the straight sinus or transverse sinus

  • The inferior vermian vein may also contribute to drainage

Function

  • Involved in coordination of trunk and proximal limb muscles

  • Participates in regulation of balance and posture through its connections to the fastigial nucleus

  • Plays a role in modulating muscle tone and facilitating smooth, coordinated voluntary movements

MRI Appearance

  • Appears as a midline structure at the inferior aspect of the cerebellar vermis

  • Isointense to other cerebellar tissue on T1- and T2-weighted images

  • Distinguished by its leaf-like folia on sagittal and coronal views

  • The surrounding cerebellar tonsils and the fourth ventricle serve as anatomical landmarks

CT Appearance

  • Seen as a soft tissue density in the midline, posterior fossa

  • Less distinctly visualized than on MRI due to limited soft tissue contrast

  • May be appreciated in the presence of mass effect or cerebellar pathology

  • Adjacent to the fourth ventricle and cerebellar tonsils on axial images

MRI images

Uvula of vermis MRI axial 3T image

MRI images

Uvula of vermis MRI coronal 3T image

MRI images

Uvula of vermis MRI sagittal 3T image

CT image

Uvula of vermis CT axial anatomy image -img-00001-00001