Mossy fibers

Mossy fibers are afferent nerve fibers that enter the cerebellar cortex and come into contact with the dendrites of the cells of its granular layer.

Mossy fibers carry impulses from receptors in muscles, tendons and joints to the cerebellum, informing about the position and movements of the body in space. They play an important role in coordinating movements and maintaining balance. Damage to mossy fibers can lead to poor coordination and symptoms of ataxia.

Mossy fibers are afferent nerve fibers that enter the cerebellar cortex and come into contact with the dendrites of the cells of its granular layer. Mossy fibers enter the cerebellum from different parts of the nervous system and carry a variety of sensory information to the cerebellum.

The main part of the mossy fibers comes from the nuclei of the trigeminal nerve and transmits proprioceptive information from the muscles of the head and neck to the cerebellum. Another part of the fibers comes from the spinal nuclei of thin caliber and carries proprioceptive information from the muscles of the trunk and limbs.

There are also mossy fibers coming from the vestibular nuclei and informing the cerebellum about the position of the head in space. A small part of the fibers comes from the visual thalamus and transmits visual information.

All these afferent signals are necessary for the cerebellum to coordinate and regulate movements. Mossy fibers end on the dendrites of the cells of the granular layer of the cerebellar cortex, where they are processed and integrated.