Mossy fiber (cerebellum)

From WikiMD's Food, Medicine & Wellness Encyclopedia

Mossy fiber (cerebellum)

File:Mossy fiber cerebellum.jpg
Mossy fibers in the cerebellum

The mossy fiber is a type of neuron that is primarily found in the cerebellum. It is one of the two main types of input fibers that transmit sensory and motor information to the cerebellum, the other being the climbing fiber.

Structure[edit | edit source]

Mossy fibers originate from various regions of the brain and spinal cord, including the pons, the spinal cord, and the inferior olivary nucleus. They enter the cerebellum via the middle cerebellar peduncle and branch out extensively to form a complex network of fibers.

Function[edit | edit source]

Mossy fibers transmit information to the cerebellum about the body's position and movement, as well as sensory information from the environment. They synapse with the granule cells in the cerebellar cortex, which in turn send signals to the Purkinje cells, the main output neurons of the cerebellum.

Clinical significance[edit | edit source]

Abnormalities in the mossy fibers can lead to various neurological disorders, such as ataxia, tremor, and dysmetria. Research is ongoing to understand the role of mossy fibers in these conditions and to develop potential treatments.

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]



Wiki.png

Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index‏‎ - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes

Search WikiMD


Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) available.
Advertise on WikiMD

WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. See full disclaimer.

Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.


Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD