Anatomy

Mesencephalon

The middle of the three primitive cerebral vesicles of the embryonic brain. Without further subdivision, midbrain develops into a short, constricted portion connecting the PONS and the DIENCEPHALON. Midbrain contains two major parts, the dorsal TECTUM MESENCEPHALI and the ventral TEGMENTUM MESENCEPHALI, housing components of auditory, visual, and other sensorimoter systems.

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

The middle of the three primitive cerebral vesicles of the embryonic brain. Without further subdivision, midbrain develops into a short, constricted portion connecting the PONS and the DIENCEPHALON. Midbrain contains two major parts, the dorsal TECTUM MESENCEPHALI and the ventral TEGMENTUM MESENCEPHALI, housing components of auditory, visual, and other sensorimoter systems.

MeSH Record

Classification

Broader headings

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MeSH Record

Synonyms

3 entry terms
  • Midbrain
  • Mesencephalons
  • Midbrains

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

23 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings abnormalities, anatomy & histology, blood supply, chemistry, cytology, diagnostic imaging, drug effects, embryology, enzymology, growth & development, immunology, injuries, metabolism, microbiology, parasitology, pathology, physiology, physiopathology, radiation effects, surgery, transplantation, ultrastructure, virology.

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Number

  1. A08w.186w.211w.132w.659w

MeSH Record

NLM Classification

WL 310

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Mesencephalon. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D008636. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D008636
  2. Mesencephalon. In: Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Midbrain
  3. Mesencephalon. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q185080