Anatomic study of the Cebus paella monkey's cerebellum

Abstract

Considering the importance of the cerebellum's function in the control and maintenance of body equilibrium and muscle tonus, as well as the establishment of posture, harmony and movement coordination, this work proposes to analyze, in Cebus apella, the macro- and mesoscopic morphology of its cerebellum. The aim was to achieve a better knowledge of the macroscopic morphology of this organ in comparison to those of other non-human primates and domestic mammals. The 20 animals used for macroscopic and mesoscopy analysis (supplied by anatomy collection of Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, MG) were fixed and maintained in formaldehyde 10%. After the preparation of each part, the cerebellum hemispheres, that seemed little developed in relation to the vermis, were inspected. Three portions of cerebellum body were identified: the anterior lobe, posterior and floculonodular lobes. The primary, horizontal, secondary, posterolateral, intraculminal and post-clival fissures were well defined. The pre-central, pre-culminal and intra-biventer fissures were less obvious. The cuts for morphological internal analysis were affected according to the median and horizontal sagittal planes at a distance of 2 to 3mm, being stained by Mulligan's solution. The most evident structures are described in detail, comparing the data obtained with that of the relevant literature.

Keywords

• monkeys
• cerebellum
• anatomy
• Cebus apella
• macroscopic anatomy
• mesoscopy