12 Difference Between Cerebrum And Cerebellum (With Diagram)

Cerebrum

Cerebrum is the principal and most anterior part of the brain in vertebrates, located in the front area of the skull and consisting of two hemispheres, (left and right) separated by a fissure. It is responsible for the integration of complex sensory and neural functions and the initiation and coordination of voluntary activity in the body.

Internal Structure

The cerebrum is comprised of two different types of tissue – grey matter and white matter:

• Grey matter forms the surface of each cerebral hemisphere (known as the cerebral cortex), and is associated with processing and cognition.
• White matter forms the bulk of the deeper parts of the brain. It consists of glial cells and myelinated axons that connect the various grey matter areas.

External Structure

Externally, the cerebrum has a highly convoluted appearance, consisting of sulci (grooves or depressions) and gyri (ridges or elevations). It is divided into two anatomically symmetrical hemispheres by the longitudinal fissure – a major sulcus that runs in the median sagittal plane. The falx cerebri (a fold of dura mater) descends vertically to fill this fissure. The two cerebral hemispheres are connected by a white matter structure, called the corpus callosum.

Facts About Cerebrum

1. It is the largest part of the brain forming four fifths of the total weight of the brain.
2. Located in the forebrain.
3. Cerebrum consists of four distinctive lobes that is; frontal, temporal, parietal and occipital.
4. Cerebrum being the largest part consisting of more than 50% of the total number of neurons in the human brain.
5. It is responsible for voluntary actions, such as motor function, cognition, muscle movements, walking, awareness and consciousness.
6. In human brain, cerebrum will have 6 cortical layers.
7. Cerebrum forms arbor vitae, since the white matter innervates outwards.  Arbor vitae is a structure that forms when there is a neural structure with matter on the inside and grey matter on the outside, and white matter innervates out into grey matter.
8. It is responsible for our senses.
9. Cerebrum is separated into two hemispheres with a structure known as median longitudinal cerebral fissure.
10. Based on a widely accepted scientific theory, cerebrum was one of the first segments of the brain to form during evolution.
11. Comprises of both cell bodies and nerve fibers.

Cerebellum

Cerebellum is the area at the back and bottom of the brain, behind the brain-stream.  In humans, the cerebellum plays an important role in motor control and is involved in some cognitive functions such as attention and language as well as in regulating fear and pleasure responses.  Also, it contributes to coordination, precision and accurate timing. Damage to the cerebellum produces disorders in fine movement, equilibrium, posture and motor learning in humans.

During embryonic development, the anterior portion of the neural tube forms three parts that gives rise to the brain and associated structures:

• Forebrain (Prosencephalon)
• Midbrain (Mesencephalon)
• Hindbrain (rhombencephalon)

The hindbrain subsequently divides into metancephalon (superior) and the myelencephalon (inferior). The cerebellum develops from the metancephalon division.

The cerebellum consists of two hemispheres which are connected by the vermis, a narrow midline area. Like other structures in the central nervous system, the cerebellum consists of grey matter and white matter:

• Grey matter – located on the surface of the cerebellum. It is tightly folded, forming the cerebellar cortex.
• White matter – located underneath the cerebellar cortex. Embedded in the white matter are the four cerebellar nuclei (the dentate, emboliform, globose, and fastigi nuclei).

Facts About Cerebellum

1. It is the second largest part of the brain, forming one eighth of the total weight of the brain.
2. Located in the hindbrain.
3. Cerebellum doesn’t form any lobes.
4. It has lesser number of neurons.
5. It is involved in coordinating involuntary activities such as speech, sneezing, coughing, hiccupping and emotions.
6. In the human brain, cerebellum will have 3 cortical layers.
7. Cerebellum also has white matter on the inside and grey matter on the outside, but in this case grey matter innervates inwards into the white matter, therefore not forming arbor vitae.
8. Responsible for inner equilibrium by secreting hormones.
9. Cerebellum is separated into two hemispheres with a structure known as median vermis.
10. Based on a widely accepted scientific theory, cerebrum was one of the late segments of the brain to form during evolution.
11. Comprises of cell bodies and dendrites.

Similarities Between cerebrum and cerebral cortex

• Both cerebrum and cerebral cortex are two components of the brain that play important role in coordination of body functions.
• Both cerebrum and cerebellum have two hemispheres which contain highly folded cortex.
• They both have billions of neurons.

Difference Between Cerebrum And Cerebellum In Tabular Form

 Summary

What is the main Difference between Cerebrum and Cerebellum?

In humans, the cerebellum plays an important role in motor control and is involved in some cognitive functions such as attention and language as well as in regulating fear and pleasure responses. On the other hand, cerebrum is responsible for the integration of complex sensory and neural functions and the initiation and coordination of voluntary activity in the body.