Midbrain

Tegmentum

The tegmentum sits beneath the tectum.

Reticular formation

The reticular formation ('little net') is a large and complex structure of over 90 nuclei that sits at the core of the brain stem.

It is involved in sleep, arousal, attention, movement and various basic reflexes.

Periaqueductal grey matter

Periaqueductal grey matter is mostly cell bodies (hence 'grey matter'). It controls basic animal sequences of movement such as for fighting and mating.

Opiates that stimulate receptors in this region decrease pain sensation.

Red nucleus

The red nucleus is involved in motor coordination, particularly the shoulder and upper arm.

Substantia nigra (SN)

The substantia nigra ('black substance') is so called because of the higher levels of melanin in its dopaminergic neurons.

The pars compacta is mainly an input to the basal ganglia circuit, supplying the striatum with dopamine. The pars reticulata, is mainly an output, sending signals to many other brain structures

The substantia nigra plays an important role in eye movement, reward seeking, addiction and movement planning.

The nigrostriatal pathway originates in the substantia nigra.

Parkinson's disease is caused by the death of dopaminergic neurons in the pars compacta.

Ventral tegmental area (VTA)

The Ventral tegmental area, or ventral tegmentum, is a group of dopaminergic cells that are the origin of the mesolimbic dopamine pathway that is highly significant in reward and sensations of pleasure. It also includes GABA and glutamate neurons.

It is also connected with the amygdala and may be connected with fear and avoidance.

Quick links

Midbrain

Tectum

Tegmentum

Reticular formation

Periaqueductal grey matter

Red nucleus

Substantia nigra (SN)

Ventral tegmental area (VTA)

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