Midbrain

Original Editor - Lucinda hampton

Top Contributors - Lucinda hampton, Uchechukwu Chukwuemeka and Kim Jackson  

Introduction

The midbrain (derived from the mesencephalon of the neural tube) is a part of the central nervous system, located below the cerebral cortex and at the topmost part of the brainstem. This small but important structure plays a crucial role in processing information related to hearing, vision, movement, pain, sleep, and arousal.

Divisions

Mid-Brain Different Parts

When viewed in cross-section, the midbrain can be divided into three portions:

1. Tectum (posterior)
2. Tegmentum
3. Cerebral peduncles (anterior)

Tectum

Sitting posteriorly, the tectum (Latin for "roof" or "covering")  is composed of the tectal (quadrigeminal) plate and superior and inferior colliculi. The tectum is unique to the midbrain and does not have a counterpart in the rest of the brainstem.

1. Nerve cells within the superior colliculi process vision signals from the retina of the eye before channeling them on to the occipital lobe located at the back of the head.
2. The inferior colliculi is responsible for processing auditory (hearing) signals before they are channeled through the thalamus and eventually to the primary auditory cortex in the temporal lobe

Tegmentum

The tegmentum is the phylogenetically-old part of the brainstem and runs through the pons and medulla oblongata. . Its contents include:

• A variety of ascending and descending tracts pass through the midbrain (eg the medial lemniscus and the anterolateral tracts)
• Reticular formation: This highly diverse and integrative area contains a network of nuclei responsible for many vital functions including arousal, consciousness, sleep-wake cycles, coordination of certain movements, and cardiovascular control.
• Spinothalamic tract: This major nerve pathway carries information about pain and temperature sensation from the body to the thalamus of the brain.
• Corticospinal tract: This major nerve pathway carries movement-related information from the brain to the spinal cord.
• The red nucleus, which is thought to play an important role in motor coordination.
• Nuclei for two cranial nerves: cranial nerve III (oculomotor nerve) and cranial nerve IV (trochlear nerve).
• Part of the raphe nuclei (clusters of serotonin-producing neurons found in the brainstem that send serotonin throughout the central nervous system);
• Substantia nigra: This area contains nerve cells that make the neurotransmitter (brain chemical) dopamine. It serves as a relay station for nerve signals responsible for controlling movement.
• Ventral tegmental area (VTA): This structure contains dopamine-producing cell bodies and plays a key role in the reward system.

Cerebral Peduncles

Cerebral peduncles: Anterior to the tegmentum are the cerebral peduncles which are composed of the large ascending and descending tracts that run to and from the cerebrum. It includes

1. The cerebral peduncles contain the substantia nigrae, which (like the ventral tegmental area) contain large collections of dopamine-producing neurons.
2. Periaqueductal gray (PAG) matter: This area plays a primary role in processing pain signals, autonomic function, and behavioral responses to fear and anxiety. Recently, this structure has been linked to controlling the defensive reactions associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Associated Conditions

The midbrain may be affected by a number of different pathological processes including stroke, tumor, a demyelinating process, infection, or a neurodegenerative disease.

Examples of specific conditions include the following:

• Multiple sclerosis (MS): If the brainstem is affected, a patient may experience symptoms like: Vision changes, including diplopia; Problems swallowing (dysphagia); Problems speaking (dysarthria); Altered sensation or weakness of the face; Hearing difficulties; Ataxia; Headache that resembles a migraine; Rarely, problems that affect vital functions (e.g., breathing or heart rate).
• Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological disease, caused by the death of dopamine-producing nerve cells in the substantia nigra. As a result of this dopamine depletion, various symptoms may develop, including: Resting tremor; Bradykinesia; Stiffness and shuffling gait; micrographia; Sleep troubles.
• Oculomotor (Third) Nerve Palsy
• Trochlear (Fourth) Nerve Palsy

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