What does cerebella mean?
Cerebella is the Latin-style plural of 'cerebellum', the brain structure at the back of the skull that coordinates movement, balance, and posture. Because each person has only one cerebellum, the word 'cerebella' appears mainly in scientific contexts where writers discuss the brains of multiple individuals or species — for instance, comparing the cerebella of birds and mammals, or reviewing MRI scans from a group of patients. It belongs to formal anatomical register and is rare outside medical, neurological, and zoological literature, where the alternative English plural 'cerebellums' is increasingly common. The word derives from Latin, in which 'cerebellum' itself means 'little brain', a diminutive of 'cerebrum'. Readers encountering it can safely understand it simply as 'more than one cerebellum', and writers addressing a general audience will usually prefer the singular or the plain English plural.
noun (plural of cerebellum)Cerebella is the plural form of 'cerebellum', referring to the two or more hindbrain structures responsible for coordinating voluntary movement, balance, and posture in humans and other animals.
- The anatomical term for more than one cerebellum, used chiefly in scientific and medical writing when discussing several organisms or species.
"The comparative study measured how the cerebella of birds and mammals differ in size relative to body mass."
"The researchers compared the cerebella of mice raised in enriched environments with those of controls."
"Damage to the cerebella of these patients was assessed through MRI imaging."
Both plurals are accepted; 'cerebella' follows the Latin pattern and predominates in formal scientific writing, while 'cerebellums' is the natural English plural.
"The cerebella of the two species showed marked differences in foliation."
You have exactly one cerebellum — but scientists studying whole animal groups have to talk about their 'cerebella'.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of cerebella
Cerebella comes directly from the Latin plural of 'cerebellum', meaning 'little brain' — a diminutive formed on 'cerebrum', the Latin word for the brain. The anatomical term entered English scientific vocabulary via Neo-Latin usage during the early modern period, when Latin plurals were standard in anatomy. Its cognates include 'cerebral' and other terms built on the same Latin root for brain, such as 'cerebrospinal'.
How cerebella is actually used
Strictly a technical/anatomical term; almost never encountered outside scientific literature. The anglicized plural 'cerebellums' is also acceptable in modern usage.
Easily confused with cerebella
'Cerebella' is the plural noun for multiple cerebellums; 'cerebellar' is an adjective describing something relating to a single cerebellum.