Physiological Psychology: Anatomy of the Mesencephalon (Midbrain) - Prof. Steven E. Meier, Study notes of Psychology of Human Development

Download Physiological Psychology: Anatomy of the Mesencephalon (Midbrain) - Prof. Steven E. Meier and more Study notes Psychology of Human Development in PDF only on Docsity! 1 Listen to the audio lecture while viewing these slides 1 Psychology 372 Physiological Psychology Steven E. Meier, Ph.D. Mesencephalon Midbrain 2 Psyc 372 – Physiological Psychology Mesencephalon 3 Psyc 372 – Physiological Psychology Mesencephalon (Midbrain) Two major parts • Tectum • Tegmentum 4 Psyc 372 – Physiological Psychology Tectum • Is the dorsal part of the mesencephalon • Contains two major structures • Superior Colliculi • Inferior Colliculi 5 Psyc 372 – Physiological Psychology Superior Colliculi • Superior means above • Function • Receives fibers from the retina of the eye and sends information to the cerebral cortex. • Is important for controlling eye movements (especially tracking). 6 Psyc 372 – Physiological Psychology Inferior Colliculi • Receives information from the cochlea of the ear and sends to the cortex. • Has a role in organizing auditory stimuli. 2 7 Psyc 372 – Physiological Psychology Tegmentum • Is the part of the midbrain below the tectum. • Contains the rostral end of the reticular formation. • Nuclei that help control eye movements • Periaqueductal gray matter • Red Nucleus • Substantia Nigra • Ventral Tegmental area 8 Psyc 372 – Physiological Psychology Reticular Formation • Are sets of fibers that go from the medulla, pons and extends to the Thalamus. • Thus, has fibers in both the hind and mid brain. • Has about 90 nuclei • Receives information from the cortex, thalamus, and spinal cord. 9 Psyc 372 – Physiological Psychology Functions • Is important for controlling your state of arousal • May play a role in sleep. • Has an important role in focusing attention and acting as a filter. • Allows you to concentrate on important things while ignoring unimportant things (buzz of a light) 10 Psyc 372 – Physiological Psychology Periaqueductal Gray Matter • Consists mostly of neuronal soma’s (cell bodies) • Helps control movements that are related to species-specific behaviors (mating, fighting), etc. 11 Psyc 372 – Physiological Psychology Red Nucleus • Involved with motor movement. • Helps with control of fine movement. • Receives information from the cortex and cerebellum • Sends information to the spinal cord. 12 Psyc 372 – Physiological Psychology Substantia Nigra (Black Substance) • Is part of the Basal Ganglia • Also is involved with fine motor movement. • Provides input with Red Nucleus and other structures. • Sends axons to the putamen and caudate nucleus.