Midbrain function

The human brain is one of the most fascinating organs that exists in the universe. It is a complex organ that has so many parts and functions that the exact areas of the brain and their functions are still being studied. The brain is generally divided into three parts, which are forebrain, midbrain, and hindbrain. The forebrain contains the main part of the brain, which is the cerebrum that forms a bulk of the brain. The midbrain consists of the tectum, tegmentum, and the cerebral peduncles. The hindbrain contains the medulla oblongata, pons, and the cerebellum. Pons is the region that is located superior to the medulla oblongata, inferior to the midbrain, and ventral to the cerebellum. In simple words, in humans, the pons is above the medulla oblongata, below the midbrain, and anterior to the cerebellum. However, what many people do not know is what function does it actually perform. There are many functions that are served by this part of the brain. The pons forms a very small part of the brain, as it measures only around 2.5 cm in length. Most of it appears as a broad anterior bulge that is present above the medulla oblongata. However, one shouldn’t be fooled by its size, as the pons is a very important part of the brain’s pathways. On the posterior side, it consists mainly of two pairs of thick stalks, which are known as cerebellar peduncles. It acts as an important sensory relay system which provides information to different parts of the nervous system like the cerebe...

Contents • 1 Introduction • 2 Gross Anatomy • 3 Cerebrum • 3.1 Frontal Lobe • 3.2 Parietal Lobe • 3.3 Temporal Lobe • 3.4 Occipital Lobe • 4 Cerebellum • 5 Brainstem • 6 Diencephalon • 6.1 Thalamus • 6.2 Epithalamus • 6.3 Hypothalamus • 6.4 Subthalamus • 7 Limbic System • 7.1 Basal Ganglia • 8 Cranial Nerves • 9 Ventricles and Cerebrospinal Fluid • 10 Blood Supply • 10.1 Internal Carotid Arteries • 10.2 Vertebral Arteries • 10.3 Basilar Artery • 10.4 Anterior Cerebral Arteries • 10.5 Middle Cerebral Arteries • 10.6 Posterior Cerebral Arteries • 10.7 Circle of Willis • 10.7.1 Venous Drainage • 11 Viewing • 12 References Introduction [ | ] The brain, contained in and protected by the At birth, the average brain weighs about 350 - 400grams, approximately 25% of the final adult brain weight of 1.4 - 1.45 kg and accounting for only 2% of overall body mass, which is reached between 10 and 15 years of age. Fastest growth occurs during the first 3 years of life, with almost 90% of the adult value reached by the age of 5 years. Its average width is about 140 mm, the average length is about 167 mm, and average height about 93 mm. While the brain continues to change throughout our life span, changes in brain morphology during childhood, adolescence and adulthood are much more subtle than those in the first 4 years of life. Gross Anatomy [ | ] The cerebrum is the largest part of the brain. The surface of the cerebrum is composed of depressions or grooves (sulci) and ridges or raised a...

Recent Examples on the Web In a study first published in the July edition of the journal Annals of Neurology, scientists used these synthetic mini brains to mimic the activity of a regular, human midbrain, which is critical to muscle movement and visual and auditory processing affected by Parkinson's disease. — Sy Mukherjee, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2021 Now the midbrain becomes active, orchestrating a powerful, quick response: fight or flight. — Carl Zimmer, Discover Magazine, 19 Aug. 2014 Otsuna explains that this dorsal view of a 5-day-old zebrafish head shows tissue stained in blue, including the eyes, olfactory pits, forebrain, and midbrain. — Discover Magazine, 12 Oct. 2010 The amygdala, in the midbrain, is important for processing emotions. — Anna Tan, Forbes, 14 Feb. 2023 In swarming locusts, the midbrain grew more than the optic lobes. — Andrew Moseman, Discover Magazine, 26 May 2010 For a looming stimulus, a nucleus of nerve cells in the midbrain called the optic tectum has served as the prime threat detector since the early days of vertebrate evolution. — Tom Siegfried, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Jan. 2023 The ventral striatum, located in the midbrain, is part of the limbic system and is linked to perceiving rewards and pleasure. — Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 1 Mar. 2022 As the predator gets closer, however, the forebrain’s grip on the midbrain loosens. — Carl Zimmer, Discover Magazine, 19 Aug. 2014 See More These examples are programmatically compiled from ...

• Spinothalamic: This tract runs at the outer portion of the brainstem, relaying messages of sensation that originate in sensory nerves to the spinal cord, through the brainstem, and to the thalamus in the cerebral cortex. • Corticospinal: This tract runs medially, near the center of the brainstem, sending messages from the motor portion of the cerebral cortex through the brainstem, to the spinal cord, and eventually to the muscles to control movement. • Spinocerebellar: This tract runs in the lateral portion of the brainstem, relaying messages between the cerebellum and the spinal cord to regulate the body’s position. • Movement: The substantia nigra and red nucleus in the midbrain interact with the basal ganglia in the cerebral hemispheres to help control movement. • Autonomic functions: The medulla contains nuclei that maintain functions like breathing and regulation of cardiovascular function. • Sleep and consciousness: The reticular formation, a group of nerves that extends throughout the brainstem, interacts with the cerebral cortex to mediate states of arousal. • Brainstem stroke: A stroke is brain damage that occurs due to interrupted blood flow. This can occur as a result of severe narrowing of the blood vessels or it may occur when a blood clot travels to the blood vessels of the brainstem, obstructing blood flow. • Some of the subtypes of brainstem stroke include lateral medullary syndrome, • Multiple sclerosis (MS): The white matter of the brainstem can be affe...