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The Midbrain

THE MIDBRAIN


The midbrain is the middle part of the brain, located between the hindbrain and the forebrain. The midbrain forms part of the brainstem and connects the brainstem to the forebrain. The midbrain is responsible for the integration and coordination of the sensory motor processes (sight, sound, taste, touch and smell), and controls our ability to adjust our ears and eyes to important events in our environment.

The roof of the midbrain is called the tectum, and is made up of two visible swellings, called the superior colliculus and inferior colliculus. These are involved in the control of movements that orient our sensory receptors to external events of interest. The superior colliculus controls this function for the visual system, whereas the inferior colliculus controls this function for the auditory system. Ie we will first hear something and then our eyes will shift to focus on the source of the sound.

The midbrain consists of a mass of nerve fibre tracts conne...

Posted by: Tricia F. Doyle

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