The flocculonodular lobe is the oldest and smallest part of the cerebellum, made of the nodulus in the midline and the paired flocculi on each side. It is closely tied to the vestibular system, which is why it is often called the vestibulocerebellum. It controls balance and keeps the eyes steady during head and body movement.
| Location | Inferior surface of the cerebellum, in front of the posterolateral fissure, next to the roof of the fourth ventricle and the cerebellopontine angle |
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| Connections |
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| Blood Supply | Anterior inferior cerebellar artery (flocculus); Posterior inferior cerebellar artery (nodulus) |
Maintains balance and controls eye movements, including smooth pursuit, gaze holding and adaptation of the vestibulo-ocular reflex.
Damage to the flocculonodular lobe causes truncal imbalance, difficulty standing even with feet apart, and eye movement problems such as downbeat nystagmus and impaired smooth pursuit. Medulloblastoma in children often arises near the nodulus and roof of the fourth ventricle. Downbeat nystagmus is also a classic sign of Chiari malformation.
A jerking eye movement with fast phases downward, often due to flocculus damage, Chiari malformation or drug toxicity.
Severe imbalance of the trunk with a tendency to fall, from damage to the nodulus and flocculus.
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