Images Dated 19th December 2003

LM of cortex and medulla of the cerebellum

Cerebellum. Light micrograph of a cross-section through the cortex (surface) and medulla (core) of a human cerebellum, part of the brain. The cerebe- llum is highly folded with fissures (thick white lines) between its ridges (lobules). The cortex has a molecular layer (light blue) which mainly consists of nerve fibre networks. Beneath this is a layer of Purkinje nerve cells (thin white lines). This lies over the granular layer (grainy black & blue) of nerve cells. Beneath the cortex is the medulla (black). This consists of white matter, large nerve fibres (axons). The cerebellum controls body posture & coordinates muscle move- ment & balance. Magnification: x100 at 5x7cm size

© VOLKER STEGER/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY