Which part of the brain controls balance and coordination?

The cerebellum controls balance and coordination. Located at the back of the brain beneath the cerebrum, it continually compares intended movements with sensory feedback from the eyes, inner ear, spinal cord, and muscles. It then fine-tunes force, timing, posture, and accuracy.

The cerebellum does not normally initiate voluntary movement. Instead, it helps make movements smooth and precise, allowing someone to walk steadily, reach for an object, maintain posture, and coordinate speech. Its flocculonodular lobe is especially associated with balance and spatial orientation through connections with the vestibular system.

A common mix-up is confusing the cerebellum with the cerebrum. The cerebrum handles higher functions such as conscious thought, language, and voluntary movement planning, while the cerebellum refines movement. Damage to the cerebellum can cause ataxia, producing an unsteady gait, poor coordination, tremor, and difficulty judging movement timing.