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Exploring Cerebellum Structure: Arbor Vitae and Neuron Types

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Low-power magnification histological slide of the cerebellum, stained pink. The image shows the cerebellar cortex with distinct layers, including the outer molecular layer, the Purkinje cell layer with large neurons, and the inner granular layer, which appears densely packed with small cells.
Figure 1: Low-power magnification histological slide of the cerebellum, stained pink.

The cerebellum, like the cerebrum, has a cortex or an outer bark of gray matter.  Depending on the stains used, gray matter could be a lighter color than white matter.  The cerebellum also has a characteristic orientation of the gyri and sulci.  This arrangement creates the structure called the arbor vitae, which is the word that refers to this extensively branching network. 

The cortex of the cerebellum consists of cells called Purkinje fibers.  These cells branch extensively in the gray matter cortex.  Their large surface area corresponds to their ability to process multiple types of information.  The inner, white matter of the cerebellum consists of myelinated axons that bring information to and from the cerebellum. Many of these axons are funneled through the pons.  

The arbor vitae structure is readily noticeable in these pictures. It clearly shows that the outer, gray matter is more lightly stained than the inner, white matter.  It’s not about what you see, it’s about what you know.


Histological slide of the cerebellum showing gray matter stained dark pink and white matter stained dark purple, highlighting their structural differences.
Figure 2: Histological section of the cerebellum showing dark pink-stained gray matter, rich in neuron cell bodies, and dark purple-stained white matter, composed of myelinated axons.
Histological slide showing the boundary between gray and white matter, with numerous cell bodies in the gray matter and densely packed axons in the white matter.
Figure 3: Histological section showing the boundary between gray and white matter, with numerous neuron cell bodies in the gray matter and densely packed axons in the white matter.

All Figures: Cerebellum, H&E, 20X Slide 077
All by University of Michigan Histology, licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 3.0.

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