FIGURE 3.

Schematic representation of the cerebellar cortex. From the innermost part to the outermost one, the cerebellar cortex can be divided into three layers: the granular layer, the Purkinje layer, and the molecular layer. The former welcomes the granule cells (excitatory neurons) and the Golgi cells (inhibitory interneurons). The descending dendrites of these two cellular types together with the ascending mossy fibers (originating from the brainstem nuclei, the spinal cord and the reticular formation) make synapsis in this area, forming the so-called “glomerulus”. Purkinje cells (inhibitory neurons) are located in the middle layer, from which they send their axon to the deep nuclei, crossing the granular layer, and their dendrites to the molecular layer, forming a “dendritic tree.” Finally, basket cells and stellate cells are the two inhibitory interneurons of the molecular layer, making synapsis with the parallel fibers (originating from the T-split of the ascending axons of the granule cells).