MIDBRAIN

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does midbrain mean? 

• MIDBRAIN (noun)
  The noun MIDBRAIN has 1 sense:

1. the middle portion of the brain

  Familiarity information: MIDBRAIN used as a noun is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• MIDBRAIN (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

The middle portion of the brain

Classified under:

Nouns denoting body parts

Synonyms:

mesencephalon; midbrain

Hypernyms ("midbrain" is a kind of...):

neural structure (a structure that is part of the nervous system)

Meronyms (parts of "midbrain"):

locus niger; nucleus niger; substantia nigra (a layer of deeply pigmented grey matter in the midbrain; associated with the striate body; is involved in metabolic disturbances associated with Parkinson's disease and with Huntington's disease)

superior colliculus (an essential visual center between the retina and the striate cortex)

inferior colliculus (an essential auditory center in the midbrain)

Holonyms ("midbrain" is a part of...):

brain; encephalon (that part of the central nervous system that includes all the higher nervous centers; enclosed within the skull; continuous with the spinal cord)

 Context examples 

Neuromelanin is a dark pigment created within dopamine neurons of the midbrain — particularly in the substantia nigra, a brain area that plays a role in reward and movement.

(Neuromelanin-sensitive MRI identified as a potential biomarker for psychosis, National Institutes of Health)

The motor fibers originate in the oculomotor nuclei of the midbrain.

(Oculomotor Nerve, NLM, Medical Subject Headings)

The two pairs of colliculi located on the dorsal surface of the midbrain known as the inferior and superior colliculus.

(Corpora Quadrigemina, NCI Thesaurus)

FGF20 may enhance the survival of midbrain dopaminergic neurons.

(Fibroblast Growth Factor 20, NCI Thesaurus)

Although the effects of barbiturates are seen throughout the CNS, the predominant effect occurs in the midbrain region, the part of the brain associated with arousal.

(Barbiturate, NCI Thesaurus)

A progressive form of dementia characterized by the presence of protein deposits called Lewy bodies in the midbrain and cerebral cortex, and loss of cholinergic and dopaminergic neurons.

(Lewy Body Dementia, NCI Thesaurus)

A region of the brain encompassing the crus cerebri and the midbrain tegmentum.

(Cerebral Peduncle, NCI Thesaurus)

The midbrain contains the cerebral peduncles, oculomotor, trochlear and red nuclei, substantia nigra and various other nuclei and tracts.

(Mesencephalon, NCI Thesaurus)

The middle portion of the brainstem located between the midbrain and the medulla oblongata.

(Murine Pons, NCI Thesaurus)

It is often caused by a dorsal midbrain neoplasm, commonly a pinealoma, but may also be attributable to demyelinating diseases or stroke.

(Parinaud Syndrome, NCI Thesaurus)