Superior cerebellar peduncle

Superior cerebellar peduncle shown in red. Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

The Superior Cerebellar Peduncle (SCP), also known as brachium conjunctivum, is a paired structure of white matter located in the human brain. It is one of the three cerebellar peduncles, the others being the middle cerebellar peduncle and the inferior cerebellar peduncle. The SCP is primarily responsible for connecting the cerebellum to the midbrain.

Anatomy

The SCP originates from the dentate nucleus, the largest of the four deep cerebellar nuclei. It ascends through the white matter of the cerebellum, passes through the roof of the fourth ventricle, and enters the midbrain.

Function

The SCP carries fibers that are both afferent (incoming) and efferent (outgoing) to the cerebellum. The efferent fibers carry information from the cerebellum to the red nucleus and the thalamus, which is then relayed to the cerebral cortex. The afferent fibers carry information from the spinal cord and the vestibular nuclei to the cerebellum.

Clinical Significance

Damage to the SCP can result in a variety of neurological disorders, including ataxia, tremor, and dysmetria. These symptoms are often associated with conditions such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, and cerebellar degeneration.

See Also

• Cerebellum
• Middle cerebellar peduncle
• Inferior cerebellar peduncle