Midbrain

Midbrain

The part of the brain located between the forebrain and hindbrain, involved in various functions including motor movement and auditory and visual processing.

Tectum

The dorsal part of the midbrain that contains the superior and inferior colliculi.

Midbrain

The part of the brain located between the forebrain and hindbrain, involved in various functions including motor movement and auditory and visual processing.

Tectum

The dorsal part of the midbrain that contains the superior and inferior colliculi.

Tegmentum

The area of the midbrain that contains cranial nerve nuclei, red nucleus, reticular formation, and various tracts.

Crus cerebri

Ventral part of the midbrain consisting of descending fibers from the cerebral cortex.

Inferior colliculus

An ovoid mass in the inferior level of the tectum, it serves as a relay station in the auditory pathway.

Trochlear nerve (IV)

A purely motor cranial nerve that supplies the superior oblique muscle.

Oculomotor nerve (III)

A mixed cranial nerve responsible for eye movement, supplying most extraocular muscles.

Substantia nigra

A curved lamina of gray matter in the midbrain, important for movement regulation and containing dopamine.

Red nucleus

A structure in the tegmentum of the midbrain, involved in motor coordination with two distinct parts.

Decussation

The crossing of nerve fibers or tracts, particularly significant in the context of midbrain anatomy.

Superior cerebellar peduncle (SCP)

A structure that connects the cerebellum to the midbrain, mainly composed of efferent fibers.

Fronto-pontine fibers

Descending fibers in the medial part of the crus cerebri, connecting the frontal lobe to the pons.

Corticospinal fibers

Descending fibers from the cortex to the spinal cord, involved in motor control.

Corticobulbar fibers

Fibers that carry motor commands from the cortex to the cranial nerve nuclei in the brainstem.

Medial longitudinal fasciculus

A bundle of fibers in the brainstem that coordinates eye and head movements.

Sensory pathways

Pathways that carry sensory information from the body to the brain for processing.

Cerebral aqueduct

A narrow channel connecting the third and fourth ventricles in the brain, located in the midbrain.

Inferior olivary nucleus

A nucleus in the medulla that is involved in motor learning and coordination.

Thalamus

A brain region that acts as a relay station for sensory information before it reaches the cortex.

Cranial nerve nuclei

Clusters of neuron cell bodies in the brainstem that give rise to cranial nerves.

Parkinsonism disease

A neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the degeneration of the substantia nigra and decreased dopamine.

Hindbrain

The lower part of the brainstem, involved in vital functions such as heartbeat and respiration.

Medulla oblongata

A section of the hindbrain responsible for involuntary functions like breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure.

Pons

A part of the brainstem that connects the medulla to the midbrain and is involved in regulating sleep and arousal.

Cerebellum

A brain structure that plays a crucial role in motor control, coordination, and balance.

Forebrain

The largest part of the brain, responsible for higher cognitive functions, emotional regulation, and sensory processing.

Cerebral cortex

The outer layer of the brain involved in complex brain functions such as thought, perception, and decision-making.

Basal ganglia

A group of structures in the forebrain that helps coordinate movement and is implicated in habit formation.

Thalamus

A critical relay station for sensory information that is processed before it reaches the cerebral cortex.

Hypothalamus

A region of the forebrain that regulates vital bodily functions, hormones, sleep, and thirst.

Corpus callosum

A bundle of nerve fibers connecting the two hemispheres of the brain, facilitating interhemispheric communication.