To which of the following nuclei do the Purkinje cells of the cerebellum project the inhibitory axons?: (A) Arcuate nucleus, (B) Fastigial nucleus, (C) Inferior olivary nucleus, (D) Superior olivary nucleus
Answer is B. Purkinje cells project inhibitory axons to all cerebellar nuclei: fastigial, globose, emboliform, and dentate. The ventral lateral thalamic nucleus receives input from the dentate nucleus superior cerebellar peduncle. In addition, they project to all vestibular nuclei: lateral, superior, medial, and inferior. The superior olivary nucleus is an auditory relay nucleus, and the inferior olivary nucleus is a cerebellar relay nucleus. The arcuate nucleus is an ectopic pontine nucleus that lies next to the pyramidal tract, and its function is unknown.