The dentate nucleus is the largest of the deep cerebellar nuclei, a crumpled bag of grey matter in the white matter of each hemisphere that looks like a tooth-edged band in cross section. It is the main output of the lateral cerebellar hemisphere and projects through the superior cerebellar peduncle to the opposite thalamus and red nucleus.
| Location | Deep white matter of each cerebellar hemisphere, near the roof of the fourth ventricle, lateral to the emboliform nucleus |
|---|---|
| Parts |
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| Connections |
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| Blood Supply | Superior cerebellar artery |
Sends planned movement timing and coordination signals to the motor and prefrontal cortex via the thalamus, supporting skilled voluntary movement and cognition.
Dentate nucleus damage causes ipsilateral limb ataxia and intention tremor. The dentate nuclei can show high signal on MRI after repeated gadolinium contrast doses, and are affected in some inherited ataxias such as Friedreich ataxia. Lesions in the dentato-rubro-olivary pathway can lead to hypertrophic olivary degeneration.
A tremor that worsens as the hand approaches a target, typical of damage to the dentate nucleus or its outflow.
Accumulation of gadolinium in the dentate nuclei seen as bright signal on MRI after multiple contrast scans, of uncertain clinical significance.
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