Midbrain (Mesencephalon)

The Midbrain (Mesencephalon) is one of the most important parts of the brain stem. It connects the forebrain to the rhombencephalon and plays a key role in regulating various body functions.

The midbrain includes the cerebral peduncles and the roof of the midbrain. The cerebral peduncles (crura cerebri) consist of two large fiber bundles that connect the cerebellum and brain stem to the anterior part of the brain. These legs play an important role in transmitting information between different parts of the brain.

The roof of the midbrain (tectum) includes four tubercles - two upper and two lower. The superior colliculi (colliculi) play an important role in processing visual and auditory information. They help to navigate in space and respond to sound and light stimuli. The lower tubercles (tubercles) are responsible for coordinating the movements of the head and eyes.

The midbrain also plays an important role in regulating the levels of key neurotransmitters such as dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine. It is involved in the regulation of sleep, wakefulness, and reactions to stress and danger.

Damage to the Middle Brain can lead to impairments in visual and hearing function, as well as problems with head-eye coordination. It can also lead to disturbances in the regulation of neurotransmitters, which can lead to various mental disorders such as depression, schizophrenia and drug addiction.

Thus, the Midbrain is an important region of the brain stem that plays a key role in regulating various body functions. Its damage can lead to serious health and mental disorders, so its conservation and protection are important tasks for medicine and science.



The midbrain is one of five sections of the brain stem. It is located in the middle part of the brain, between the pons and the cerebellum. The midbrain consists of two main parts: the cerebral peduncle and the midbrain roof.

The cerebral peduncle is the lowest part of the midbrain and connects the midbrain to the pons. They are composed of gray matter and contain many neurons that are responsible for regulating eye and head movements, as well as processing sensory information from the senses.

The midbrain roof is the upper part of the midbrain, located above the cerebral peduncles. It is composed of white matter and contains many neurons responsible for controlling emotions, memory and coordination of movements.

The midbrain plays an important role in regulating many body functions such as breathing, heartbeat, digestion and muscle activity. It is also involved in processing sensory information received from the senses and in coordinating movements.

Overall, the midbrain is an important part of the brain stem that is responsible for many body functions and plays a key role in controlling movement and coordination of the body.



The midbrain, or mesencephalon (Mesencephalon - “middle half”) is the part of the brain located between the medulla oblongata and the diencephalon (pons).

The brain stem is involved in the regulation of many functions of the body: breathing, blood circulation, blood pressure, etc. The midbrain contains important structures that control reflexes, autonomic functions, and the sense of smell. The medulla oblongata is connected to the corpus callosum and spinal cord, which ensures the interaction of both hemispheres of the brain.

It should be noted that the midbrain has a disproportionately large volume of tissue compared to other brain structures: its surface is approximately 2 times larger than the coherent surface of all other parts combined. This is due to the fact that it is here that the highest centers of regulation are located, associated with the processing of information from the senses (vision, hearing, smell, touch), control over instincts, certain reflexes. Here are the centers of hunger and satiety, learning and memory, as well as the centers of hearing and vision, which are responsible for such simple reactions as blinking the eyes or blinking lights during a sudden change in lighting. The thalamus in the midbrain is located in the lateral wall of the third cerebral ventricle. The mesencephalic trunk itself in the diencephalon is separated from the medial surface of the hemisphere using the posterior and lateral producholar tracts. Some authors consider it as a single mesencephalic section of the forebrain cortex. The roof of the midbrain is usually characterized by a dense organization.