In the

brain The brain is an organ (biology), organ that serves as the center of the nervous system in all vertebrate and most invertebrate animals. It consists of nervous tissue and is typically located in the head (cephalization), usually near organs for ...

, the corpora quadrigemina (

Latin Latin ( or ) is a classical language belonging to the Italic languages, Italic branch of the Indo-European languages. Latin was originally spoken by the Latins (Italic tribe), Latins in Latium (now known as Lazio), the lower Tiber area aroun ...

for "quadruplet bodies") are the four colliculi—two inferior, two superior—located on the

tectum The midbrain or mesencephalon is the uppermost portion of the brainstem connecting the diencephalon and cerebrum with the pons. It consists of the cerebral peduncles, tegmentum, and tectum. It is functionally associated with vision, hearing, mo ...

of the dorsal aspect of the

midbrain The midbrain or mesencephalon is the uppermost portion of the brainstem connecting the diencephalon and cerebrum with the pons. It consists of the cerebral peduncles, tegmentum, and tectum. It is functionally associated with vision, hearing, mo ...

. They are respectively named the inferior and superior colliculus. The corpora quadrigemina are reflex centers involving vision and hearing. It consists of groups of nerve cells-grey matter scattered in white matter. It basically connects the forebrain and the hind brain. It has four corpora quadrigemina which are the reflex centres of eye movement and auditory responses. The superior part of corpora quadrigemina are called superior colliculi, and inferior part as inferior colliculi.Marieb, Elaine N. Essentials of Human Anatomy & Physiology. 6th ed. San Francisco: Daryl Fox, 2000. 210.

Additional images

File:Gray678.png, Schematic representation of the chief ganglionic categories (I to V) File:Gray710.png, Transverse section through mid-brain File:Gray713.png, Scheme showing the course of the fibers of the lemniscus; medial lemniscus in blue, lateral in red File:Gray716.png, Dissection showing the ventricles of the brain File:Gray720.png, Median sagittal section of brain File:Gray792.png, Upper part of medulla spinalis and hind- and mid-brains; posterior aspect, exposed in situ

References

External links

SUNY Niagara

Midbrain Tectum {{neuroanatomy-stub