The cerebellum is a region of the brain that plays an important role in the integration of sensory perception and motor output. Many neural pathways link the cerebellum with the motor cortex—which sends information to the muscles causing them to move—and the spinocerebellar tract—which provides feedback on the position of the body in space (proprioception). The cerebellum integrates these two functions, using the constant feedback on body position to fine-tune motor movements. Because of this 'updating' function of the cerebellum, lesions within it are not so debilitating as to cause paralysis, but rather present as feedback deficits resulting in disorders in fine movement, equilibrium, posture, and motor learning. Initial observations by physiologists during the 18th century indicated that patients with cerebellar damage show problems with motor coordination and movement. Modern research has shown that the cerebellum has a broader role in a number of key cognitive functions, including attention and the processing of language, music, and other sensory temporal stimuli.

Read the rest of this article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cerebellum

_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:

1597: Twelve Korean ships commanded by Admiral Yi Soon Shin sank 31 enemy ships and defeated a Japanese invasion. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yi_Sun-sin)

1810: Miguel Hidalgo, the parish priest in Dolores, Guanajuato, delivered the Grito de Dolores to his congregation, instigating the Mexican War of Independence against Spain. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miguel_Hidalgo)

1941: Shah Reza Pahlavi of Iran was forced to abdicate in favour of his son, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reza_Pahlavi)

1963: Malaya, North Borneo, Sarawak and Singapore merged to form Malaysia. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malaysia)

1982: A Lebanese militia led by Elie Hobeika carried out a massacre in the Palestinian refugee camp of Sabra and Shatila. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sabra_and_Shatila_Massacre)

_____________________ Wikiquote of the day:

"A planned life is a dead life." -- Lauren Bacall (http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Lauren_Bacall)