Midbrain
| 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/; |
| 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. 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 name mesencephalon comes from the Greek mesos, "middle", and enkephalos, "brain".