Quadrigeminal brachium

Quadrigeminal Brachium

The Quadrigeminal Brachium (also known as the Brachium of Superior Colliculus) is a part of the brain that connects the superior colliculus to the lateral geniculate nucleus. It is a significant component of the visual system, playing a crucial role in the transmission of visual information from the retina to the brain.

Anatomy

The Quadrigeminal Brachium is located in the midbrain, specifically in the tectum. It is a white matter tract that extends from the superior colliculus to the lateral geniculate nucleus, which is part of the thalamus. The superior colliculus is a paired structure that forms part of the corpora quadrigemina, a group of four colliculi - two superior and two inferior.

Function

The primary function of the Quadrigeminal Brachium is to transmit visual sensory information from the retina to the brain. The superior colliculus, to which the brachium is connected, is involved in preliminary visual processing and control of eye movements. The lateral geniculate nucleus, the other end of the brachium, is the primary processing center for visual information received from the retina.

Clinical Significance

Damage to the Quadrigeminal Brachium can result in a variety of visual disturbances, including blurred vision, double vision, and visual field loss. It can also lead to oculomotor nerve palsy, which can cause drooping of the eyelid (ptosis) and other eye movement disorders.

See Also

• Superior colliculus
• Lateral geniculate nucleus
• Visual system
• Midbrain
• Corpora quadrigemina