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AnatomyNeuroanatomyCerebellumInferior colliculus
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AnatomyNeuroanatomyCerebellumInferior colliculus

Inferior colliculus

Author: Sara Ferreira, MD • Reviewer: Dimitrios Mytilinaios, MD, PhD
Last reviewed: October 30, 2023
Reading time: 1 minute

Inferior colliculus
Colliculus inferior
1/8
Synonyms: none

The inferior colliculus consists of a large nucleus of gray matter that lies beneath a corresponding surface elevation located at the posterior surface of the midbrain.

There are two inferior colliculi, one on each side of the midline. The inferior colliculi play an important role in the auditory pathway.

The inferior colliculi receive input from other brainstem nuclei involved in the auditory pathway and project, through the inferior brachium, to the medial geniculate nucleus of the thalamus, which in turn projects to the auditory cortex.

There are also two superior colliculi which are part of the visual pathway. The four colliculi are collectively known as quadrigeminal bodies. The entire region is known as the tectum or tectal plate.

Terminology English: Inferior colliculus
Latin: Colliculus inferior
Function Involved in sound location, orientating the body towards relevant stimuli, and discriminating pitch and rhythm

Learn all about the surface anatomy of the brainstem with the following study unit!

Sources

All content published on Kenhub is reviewed by medical and anatomy experts. The information we provide is grounded on academic literature and peer-reviewed research. Kenhub does not provide medical advice. You can learn more about our content creation and review standards by reading our content quality guidelines.

Driscoll ME, Tadi P. Neuroanatomy, Inferior Colliculus. [Updated 2021 Aug 11]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan.

Elliot L.Manchell: Gray's Clinical Neuroanatomy: The Anatomic Basis for Clinical Neuroscience

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