Nucleus · one in each half of the brain
Dentate nucleus
The biggest cerebellar exit, linking movement planning with thinking.
The dentate nucleus is the largest of the deep cerebellar nuclei. It collects the output of the cerebellum's big side halves and sends it, by way of the thalamus, up to the cortex. This loop helps plan and time skilled movements. It is also linked with thinking, planning and language.
Where it is
Deep inside each half of the cerebellum. It is the farthest out of the three pairs of deep nuclei.
What it does
Starting movements
It helps launch voluntary movements at just the right moment.
Planning sequences
It helps line up the steps of complex actions, like the finger moves in a piano piece.
Advising the cortex
Through the thalamus, it sends advice to the movement and planning areas of the cortex.
Supporting thought
Part of it links to the prefrontal cortex, which handles planning and holding things in mind.
Think of it as the cerebellum's ambassador to the cortex, carrying back advice on how to make every plan run smoothly.
Works with
- Posterior lobe of the cerebellumIt receives the output of the posterior lobe's large side parts.
- Ventral lateral nucleus of the thalamusIts fibers cross to the other side of the brain and reach this relay in the thalamus.
- Primary motor cortexThrough the thalamus, it helps the primary motor cortex fine-tune its commands.
- Dorsolateral prefrontal cortexSome of its output reaches this planning region, linking the cerebellum to thinking.
- Red nucleusIt also signals the red nucleus, part of a loop that helps the brain learn movements.
When it goes wrong
Intention tremor
Damage can cause a shake that grows stronger as the hand gets closer to its target, such as when pressing a button.
Friedreich ataxia
In this inherited disease, the dentate nucleus slowly shrinks, adding to growing unsteadiness and clumsiness.
For learning only, not medical advice. If you have a health concern, talk to a doctor.
Surprising facts
- It has a movement part and a thinking part: one links to the movement areas of the cortex, the other to areas used for planning and reasoning.
- Its wavy, C-shaped outline looks a lot like another structure in the medulla, the inferior olive, which sends teaching signals into the cerebellum.
Where the name comes from
From Latin "dentatus", meaning "toothed". Its wavy, crinkled edge looks like a row of teeth.
Learn it in a lesson
- The cerebellumSmooth, balanced, well-timed movement. A short guided lesson in 3D.
Quick quiz
3 questions. Your answers are saved and come back in your daily review.
Which of these is a job of the dentate nucleus?
Show the answer
Starting movements. It helps launch voluntary movements at just the right moment.
Starting movements. It helps launch voluntary movements at just the right moment.
The dentate nucleus is part of which larger structure?
Show the answer
Deep cerebellar nuclei. It belongs to the deep cerebellar nuclei.
Deep cerebellar nuclei. It belongs to the deep cerebellar nuclei.
Which part fits this description? "Like the cerebellum's ambassador to the cortex, carrying back advice on how to make every plan run smoothly."
Show the answer
Dentate nucleus. It is the dentate nucleus. The biggest cerebellar exit, linking movement planning with thinking.
Dentate nucleus. It is the dentate nucleus. The biggest cerebellar exit, linking movement planning with thinking.
These parts now come back in your daily review, just before you would forget them.
Practice it and its neighbors in 3DSources
- Neuroanatomy, Dentate Nucleus, StatPearls, NCBI Bookshelf
- Dentate nucleus, Radiopaedia
- Projections from the Cerebellum, Neuroscience, 2nd edition (Purves et al.), NCBI Bookshelf
Spotted a mistake? Tell us.
Explore the dentate nucleus in 3D
Turn it around, zoom inside and see how it connects to the rest of the brain, then test yourself with quick quizzes.
Open it in 3D