cerebellum

/ˈsɛrəˌbɛləm/

/sɛrəˈbɛləm/

Other forms: cerebellums; cerebella

If you’re a professional juggler, you can thank your cerebellum for your great coordination. The cerebellum is the part of your brain that handles motor control.

The word cerebellum entered English in the 16th century from the Latin word of the same name, meaning "little brain." The cerebellum is located at the base of the brain, near the back of your head. It looks like a separate structure stuck onto the rest of your brain — so in a sense, it’s like a “little brain.” In addition to motor control, the cerebellum is responsible for balance and muscle tone.

Definitions of cerebellum

1. noun

   a major division of the vertebrate brain; situated above the medulla oblongata and beneath the cerebrum in humans
   type of:

   neural structure

   a structure that is part of the nervous system