Cerebellar Peduncles

The cerebellum communicates with other parts of the central nervous system by means of three pairs of nerve tracts called "cerebellar peduncles." The "inferior peduncles" bring sensory information about the actual position of body parts such as limbs and joints. The "middle peduncles" transmit information about the desired position of these parts. After integrating and analyzing the information from these two sources, the cerebellum sends impulses through the "superior peduncles" to the midbrain. In response, motor impulses are transmitted down through the pons, medulla oblongata, and spinal cord, and they stimulate or inhibit skeletal muscles at appropriate times to cause movements of body parts into the desired positions. This activity makes rapid and complex muscular movements possible.