Midbrain tectum

Midbrain tectum
Brain: Midbrain tectum
Gray685.png
Deep dissection of brain-stem. Lateral view.
Latin t. mesencephali
Part of Midbrain
NeuroNames hier-448
NeuroLex ID birnlex_1032
Dorlands/Elsevier Tectum of midbrain

The tectum (Latin: roof) is a region of the brain, specifically the dorsal part of the mesencephalon (midbrain). This is contrasted with the tegmentum, which refers to the region ventral to the ventricular system. It is responsible for auditory and visual reflexes.

It is derived in embryonic development from the alar plate of the neural tube.

Contents

Colliculi

In adult humans it is present only in the mesencephalon as the inferior and the superior colliculi.

  • The superior colliculus is involved in preliminary visual processing and control of eye movements. In non-mammalian vertebrates it serves as the main visual area of the brain, functionally analogous to the visual areas of the cerebral cortex in mammals.

Both colliculi also have descending projections to the paramedian pontine reticular formation and spinal cord, and thus can be involved in responses to stimuli faster than cortical processing would allow. Collectively the colliculi are referred to as the corpora quadrigemina.

Related terms

The term "tectal plate" (or "quadrigeminal plate") is used to describe the junction of the gray and white matter in the embryo. ( , NeuroNames ancil-453)

See also

External links


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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Midbrain — Brain: Mesencephalon Inferior view mesencephalon (2), above (3) …   Wikipedia

  • Midbrain tegmentum — Brain: Midbrain tegmentum Transverse section of mid brain at level of superior colliculi. ( Tegmentum visible center right.) …   Wikipedia

  • tectum — Any rooflike covering or structure. [L. roof, roofed structure, fr. tego, pp. tectus, to cover] t. mesencephali [TA] SYN: lamina of mesencephalic t.. t. of midbrain SYN: lamina of mesencephalic t.. * * * tec·tum tek təm n …   Medical dictionary

  • midbrain — noun Date: 1864 the middle of the three primary divisions of the developing vertebrate brain or the corresponding part of the adult brain between the forebrain and hindbrain that includes the tectum, tegmentum, and substantia nigra called also… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • tectum — noun (plural tecta) Etymology: New Latin, from Latin, roof, dwelling, from neuter of tectus, past participle of tegere to cover more at thatch Date: circa 1905 a bodily structure resembling or serving as a roof; especially the dorsal part of the… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • tectum — noun /ˈtɛk.təm/ a) The dorsal portion of the midbrain, containing the superior colliculus and inferior colliculus b) The interconnected outer surface of a spore …   Wiktionary

  • midbrain — noun A part of the brain located rostral to the pons and caudal to the thalamus and the basal ganglia, composed of the tectum (dorsal portion) and the tegmentum (ventral portion). Syn: mesencephalon …   Wiktionary

  • midbrain — mesencephalon. * * * mid·brain mid .brān n the middle division of the three primary divisions of the developing vertebrate brain or the corresponding part of the adult brain that includes a ventral part containing the cerebral peduncles and a… …   Medical dictionary

  • tectum — n. the roof of the midbrain, behind and above the cerebral aqueduct. From the nerve tissue protrude two pairs of rounded swellings called the superior and inferior colliculi, which contain cells concerned with reflexes involving vision and… …   The new mediacal dictionary

  • tectum of midbrain — t. mesencephali …   Medical dictionary

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