| Midbrain | |
|---|---|
 Figure shows the midbrain (A) and surrounding regions; sagittal view of one cerebellar hemisphere. B: Pons. C: Medulla. D: Spinal cord. E: Fourth ventricle. F: Arbor vitae. G: Nodule. H: Tonsil. I: Posterior lobe. J: Anterior lobe. K: Inferior colliculus. L: Superior colliculus. | |
 Inferior view in which the midbrain is encircled blue. | |
| Details | |
| Pronunciation | UK: /ˌmɛsɛnˈsɛfəlɒn, -kɛf-/, US: /ˌmɛzənˈsɛfələn/;[1] |
| Part of | Brainstem |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | mesencephalon |
| MeSH | D008636 |
| NeuroNames | 462 |
| NeuroLex ID | birnlex_1667 |
| TA98 | A14.1.03.005 |
| TA2 | 5874 |
| FMA | 61993 |
| Anatomical terms of neuroanatomy | |
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.[3]
The name mesencephalon comes from the Greek mesos, "middle", and enkephalos, "brain".[4]
- ^ "mesencephalon". Oxford English Dictionary (Online ed.). Oxford University Press. (Subscription or participating institution membership required.)
- ^ Sinnatamby, Chummy S. (2011). Last's Anatomy (12th ed.). p. 476. ISBN 978-0-7295-3752-0.
- ^ Breedlove, Watson, & Rosenzweig. Biological Psychology, 6th Edition, 2010, pp. 45-46
- ^ Mosby's Medical, Nursing & Allied Health Dictionary,≈ Fourth Edition, Mosby-Year Book 1994, p. 981