Midbrain
1- Anatomy of the midbrain.
2- Levels of the midbrain: upper & lower levels.
3- Clinical hint.
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III- Midbrain
• Shortest& uppermost part of brain
stem.
• The 4th ventricle is continuous with
cerebral aqueduct which is present
in the midbrain.
• The midbrain is divided by an
imaginary line passing through the
aqueduct into:
1-Two cerebral peduncles: Ventral
part.
2- Tectum: Dorsal part.
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III- Midbrain
A- Cerebral peduncles
• It is formed of:
1- Crus cerebri: each one contains three
descending tracts: Tegmentum
Corticobulbar tract.
Substantia
Corticopontine tract. nigra
Corticospinal tract.
2- Substantia nigra: pigmented masses of Crus
grey matter belongs to extrapyramidal tract. cerebri
3- Tegmentum: contains nuclei, [Link]
decussation, leminisci&tracts. &cortico
bulbar T
[Link] Cortico
pontine spinal T
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III- Midbrain
B- Tectum
• It is composed of 4 colliculi:
1- Two superior colliculi: centers for visual
reflexes.
2- Two inferior colliculi: centers for auditory
reflexes.
• Levels of Midbrain:
Lower midbrain(level of inferior colliculi).
Upper midbrain(level of superior colliculi).
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1- Lower Midbrain (Inferior colliculus)
• The tegmentum contains: Mesencephalic Aqueduct Trochlear
1- Tracts& leminisci: N&T nerve
Medial longitudinal bundle& medial tectospinal tract. [Link]
Trochlear N
4 leminisci(medial, trigeminal, spinal& lateral).
Rubrospinal tract. MLB
4 leminisci
2- Decussating fibers: of superior cerebellar peduncles.
[Link]-
3- Cranial nerve nuclei: spinal T
Mesencephalic nucleus & tract of trigeminal.
Trochlear nucleus. Decussating
• The inferior colliculi: consist of central nucleus surrounded fibers of SCP
by afferent and efferent nerve fibers:
Afferent fibers: from lateral leminiscus.
Rubrospinal T
Efferent fibers: medial geniculate body& opposite inferior
colliculus.
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2- Upper Midbrain (Superior colliculus)
• The tegmentum contains: [Link]
Mesencephalic
1- Tracts& leminisci: N&T
Medial longitudinal bundle.
3 leminisci(medial, trigeminal& spinal). Occulomotor N
2- Decussating fibers: 3 leminisci
MLB
Dorsal tegmental decussation: of tectospinal tracts.
Ventral tegmental decussation: of rubrospinal tracts.
Red N Dorsal
3- Cranial nerve nuclei: tegmental
Mesencephalic nucleus & tract of trigeminal. decussation
Occulomotor nucleus.
[Link]
• The superior colliculi: consist of alternating areas of decussation
grey and white matters, receiving :
Afferent fibers: from retina& visual cortex.
Occulomotor
Efferent fibers: tectospinal & tectobulbar tracts. nerve
Red nucleus: oval mass of grey matter on either side of the mid line, belongs to extrapyramidal
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system, appears red due to iron oxide in its neurons + its rich vascularity.
Levels of Mid brain Lower mid brain Upper Mid brain
1- Most important event The inferior colliculi in tectum 1-The superior colliculi in tectum.
2- Red nucleus in tegmentum.
2- Decussating fibers Of superior cerebellar peduncles. 1- Dorsal tegmental decussation: of tectospinal
tracts.
2- Ventral tegmental decussation: of rubrospinal
tracts.
3- Tracts&leminisci Rubrospinal tract. Lateral leminiscus: absent
4- Cranial nerves nuclei 1-Mesencephalic nucleus of trigeminal. 1- Mesencephalic nucleus of trigeminal.
2- Trochlear nucleus. 2- Occulomotor nucleus.
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Lesion in the midbrain
• Causes: tumor, vascular
occlusion&trauma.
• Manifestations:
Paralysis of the muscles of the
face&body (hemiplegia due to
affection of the corticobulbar
&corticospinal tracts).
Affection of vision&hearing.
Squint.
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Identify the level and the pointed structure
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Identify the level and the pointed structure
Trochlear
nucleus
Lower midbrain (level of inferior coliculus)
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