Wing of central lobule

At a glance

English

Wing of central lobule

Latin (TA2)

Ala lobuli centralis

System

Brain and spinal cord

Region

Head

Side

Paired, left and right

About the wing of central lobule

The wing of the central lobule is a small, wedge-shaped area of folia on the superior surface of the cerebellum, in the anterior lobe. The central lobule is a segment of the superior vermis, lobules II and III in the numbered scheme, and its wings are its lateral continuations into the hemispheres on each side, the hemispheric lobules II and III. They are among the smallest parts of the hemisphere and lie near the front edge of the cerebellum, close to the superior cerebellar peduncles.

Each wing lies between two fissures. In front and below, the precentral fissure separates the central lobule and its wings from the lingula, the first segment of the vermis, which rests on the superior medullary velum. Behind and above, the preculminate fissure separates them from the culmen of the vermis and its hemispheric partner, the anterior quadrangular lobule. The wings are partly hidden under the edge of the tentorium and in front by the midbrain.

As part of the anterior lobe, the wings belong to the spinocerebellum. They receive information from the spinal cord about the position and movement of the trunk and limbs, through the spinocerebellar tracts, and help adjust muscle tone and coordinate posture and gait. The anterior lobe holds a map of the body, with the lower limb represented towards the front.

Degeneration of the anterior lobe, as seen in long-term heavy alcohol use, affects the front of the superior vermis and the neighbouring hemispheric parts. It typically causes a broad-based, unsteady gait with relatively little clumsiness of the arms. The region is supplied by the superior cerebellar artery.

Function and supply

Function

Part of the spinocerebellum; helps regulate muscle tone and coordinate posture and gait.

Blood supply

The superior cerebellar artery.