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The midbrain or mesencephalon is the uppermost portion of the brainstem connecting the diencephalon and cerebrum with the pons. [2] It consists of the cerebral peduncles , tegmentum , and tectum . It is functionally associated with vision, hearing, motor control, sleep and wakefulness, arousal ( alertness ), and temperature regulation.
The cerebral aqueduct (aqueduct of the midbrain, aqueduct of Sylvius, Sylvian aqueduct, mesencephalic duct) is a small, narrow tube connecting the third and fourth ventricles of the brain. [ 1 ] [ 2 ] The cerebral aqueduct is a midline structure that passes through the midbrain .
Cross-section of the midbrain. Tectum. Corpora quadrigemina. Inferior colliculi; Superior colliculi; Pretectum; Tegmentum. Periaqueductal gray; Rostral interstitial nucleus of medial longitudinal fasciculus; Midbrain reticular formation; Dorsal raphe nucleus; Red nucleus; Ventral tegmental area. Parabrachial pigmented nucleus; Paranigral ...
The mesolimbic pathway transmits dopamine from the ventral tegmental area (VTA), which is located in the midbrain, to the ventral striatum, which includes both the nucleus accumbens and olfactory tubercle. [5] [6] The "meso" prefix in the word "mesolimbic" refers to the midbrain, or "middle brain", since "meso" means "middle" in Greek.
The brainstem, resembling a stalk, attaches to and leaves the cerebrum at the start of the midbrain area. The brainstem includes the midbrain, the pons, and the medulla oblongata. Behind the brainstem is the cerebellum (Latin: little brain). [7] The cerebrum, brainstem, cerebellum, and spinal cord are covered by three membranes called meninges.
The cerebral peduncles (In Latin, ped-means 'foot'.) are the two stalks that attach the cerebrum to the brainstem. [1] They are structures at the front of the midbrain which arise from the ventral pons and contain the large ascending (sensory) and descending (motor) tracts that run to and from the cerebrum from the pons.
Stimulation of the periaqueductal gray matter of the midbrain activates enkephalin-releasing neurons that project to the raphe nuclei in the brainstem. 5-HT released from the raphe nuclei descends to the dorsal horn of the spinal cord where it forms excitatory connections with the inhibitory interneurons located in Laminae II (aka the substantia gelatinosa).
View of the midbrain showing covering tectum and tegmental floor. The midbrain is further subdivided into three parts: tectum, tegmentum, and the ventral tegmental area. The tectum forms the ceiling. The tectum comprises the paired structure of the superior and inferior colliculi and is the dorsal covering of the cerebral aqueduct.