{"id":184,"date":"2023-02-17T22:37:14","date_gmt":"2023-02-17T22:37:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/introductiontopsychology\/chapter\/learn-it-the-midbrain-and-hindbrain\/"},"modified":"2023-08-04T16:30:19","modified_gmt":"2023-08-04T16:30:19","slug":"learn-it-the-midbrain-and-hindbrain","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/introductiontopsychology\/chapter\/learn-it-the-midbrain-and-hindbrain\/","title":{"raw":"The Brain: Learn It 3\u2014The Midbrain and Hindbrain","rendered":"The Brain: Learn It 3\u2014The Midbrain and Hindbrain"},"content":{"raw":"
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the midbrain<\/h3>\r\nThe midbrain<\/strong> is comprised of structures located deep within the brain, between the forebrain and the hindbrain. The reticular formation<\/strong> is centered in the midbrain, but it actually extends up into the forebrain and down into the hindbrain. The reticular formation is important in regulating the sleep\/wake cycle, arousal, alertness, and motor activity.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6670\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"368\"]\"An<\/a> Figure 1<\/strong>. The substantia nigra and ventral tegmental area (VTA) are located in the midbrain.[\/caption]\r\n\r\nThe substantia nigra<\/strong> (Latin for \u201cblack substance\u201d) and the ventral tegmental area (VTA)<\/strong> are also located in the midbrain (Figure 1). Both regions contain cell bodies that produce the neurotransmitter dopamine, and both are critical for movement. Degeneration of the substantia nigra and VTA is involved in Parkinson\u2019s disease. In addition, these structures are involved in mood, reward, and addiction (Berridge & Robinson, 1998; Gardner, 2011; George, Le Moal, & Koob, 2012).\r\n\r\n<\/section>
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the hindbrain<\/h3>\r\nThe hindbrain<\/strong> is located at the back of the head and looks like an extension of the spinal cord. It contains the medulla, pons, and cerebellum. The medulla<\/strong> controls the automatic processes of the autonomic nervous system, such as breathing, blood pressure, and heart rate. The word pons literally means \u201cbridge,\u201d and as the name suggests, the pons<\/strong> serves to connect the hindbrain to the rest of the brain. It also is involved in regulating brain activity during sleep. The medulla, pons, and various structures are known as the brainstem, and aspects of the brainstem span both the midbrain and the hindbrain.\r\n
\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_6671\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"362\"]\"An<\/a> Figure 2<\/strong>. The pons, medulla, and cerebellum make up the hindbrain.[\/caption]<\/figure>\r\nThe cerebellum<\/strong> (Latin for \u201clittle brain\u201d) receives messages from muscles, tendons, joints, and structures in our ear to control balance, coordination, movement, and motor skills. The cerebellum is also thought to be an important area for processing some types of memories. In particular, procedural memory, or memory involved in learning and remembering how to perform tasks, is thought to be associated with the cerebellum.\r\n\r\n<\/section>
[ohm2_question height=\"200\"]3944[\/ohm2_question]<\/section>
This video clip from a popular 1990s tv show<\/a>, Pinky and the Brain, reviews many of the parts of the brain through song.\u00a0You can\u00a0view the transcript for \u201cpinky and the brain-brainstem\u201d here (opens in new window)<\/a>.<\/section><\/section>","rendered":"
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the midbrain<\/h3>\n

The midbrain<\/strong> is comprised of structures located deep within the brain, between the forebrain and the hindbrain. The reticular formation<\/strong> is centered in the midbrain, but it actually extends up into the forebrain and down into the hindbrain. The reticular formation is important in regulating the sleep\/wake cycle, arousal, alertness, and motor activity.<\/p>\n

\"An<\/a>
Figure 1<\/strong>. The substantia nigra and ventral tegmental area (VTA) are located in the midbrain.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The substantia nigra<\/strong> (Latin for \u201cblack substance\u201d) and the ventral tegmental area (VTA)<\/strong> are also located in the midbrain (Figure 1). Both regions contain cell bodies that produce the neurotransmitter dopamine, and both are critical for movement. Degeneration of the substantia nigra and VTA is involved in Parkinson\u2019s disease. In addition, these structures are involved in mood, reward, and addiction (Berridge & Robinson, 1998; Gardner, 2011; George, Le Moal, & Koob, 2012).<\/p>\n<\/section>\n

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the hindbrain<\/h3>\n

The hindbrain<\/strong> is located at the back of the head and looks like an extension of the spinal cord. It contains the medulla, pons, and cerebellum. The medulla<\/strong> controls the automatic processes of the autonomic nervous system, such as breathing, blood pressure, and heart rate. The word pons literally means \u201cbridge,\u201d and as the name suggests, the pons<\/strong> serves to connect the hindbrain to the rest of the brain. It also is involved in regulating brain activity during sleep. The medulla, pons, and various structures are known as the brainstem, and aspects of the brainstem span both the midbrain and the hindbrain.<\/p>\n

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\"An<\/a>
Figure 2<\/strong>. The pons, medulla, and cerebellum make up the hindbrain.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n

The cerebellum<\/strong> (Latin for \u201clittle brain\u201d) receives messages from muscles, tendons, joints, and structures in our ear to control balance, coordination, movement, and motor skills. The cerebellum is also thought to be an important area for processing some types of memories. In particular, procedural memory, or memory involved in learning and remembering how to perform tasks, is thought to be associated with the cerebellum.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n