Inferior colliculus
The inferior colliculus (IC) (Latin for lower hill) is the principal midbrain nucleus of the auditory pathway and receives input from several peripheral brainstem nuclei in the auditory pathway, as well as inputs from the auditory cortex. The inferior colliculus has three subdivisions: the central nucleus, a dorsal cortex by which it is surrounded, and an external cortex which is located laterally. Its bimodal neurons are implicated in auditory-somatosensory interaction, receiving projections from somatosensory nuclei. This multisensory integration may underlie a filtering of self-effected sounds from vocalization, chewing, or respiration activities.
| Inferior colliculus | |
|---|---|
Inferior colliculus (red dot) in human brain, sagittal section. | |
Transverse section of mid-brain at level of inferior colliculi | |
| Details | |
| Part of | Tectum |
| System | Auditory system |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | colliculus inferior |
| MeSH | D007245 |
| NeuroNames | 476 |
| NeuroLex ID | birnlex_806 |
| TA98 | A14.1.06.014 |
| TA2 | 5916 |
| FMA | 62404 |
| Anatomical terms of neuroanatomy | |
The inferior colliculi are part of the tectum of the midbrain, and together with the superior colliculi form the corpora quadrigemina. An inferior colliculus lies caudal/inferior to the ipsilateral superior colliculus, rostral/superior to the superior cerebellar peduncle and the trochlear nerve, and at the base of the projection of the medial geniculate nucleus and the lateral geniculate nucleus.