Pretectal area
In neuroanatomy, the pretectal area, or pretectum, is a midbrain structure composed of seven nuclei and comprises part of the subcortical visual system. Through reciprocal bilateral projections from the retina, it is involved primarily in mediating behavioral responses to acute changes in ambient light such as the pupillary light reflex, the optokinetic reflex, and temporary changes to the circadian rhythm. In addition to the pretectum's role in the visual system, the anterior pretectal nucleus has been found to mediate somatosensory and nociceptive information.
| Pretectal area | |
|---|---|
Cross section of the midbrain at the level of the superior colliculus. Pretectal area labeled (as pretectum) at right. | |
| Details | |
| Part of | Midbrain |
| Parts | anterior pretectal nucleus, medial pretectal nucleus, nucleus of the optic tract, olivary pretectal nucleus, posterior pretectal nucleus, posterior limitans, commissural pretectal area |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | area praetectalis |
| MeSH | D066250 |
| NeuroNames | 467 |
| NeuroLex ID | nlx_59721 |
| TA98 | A14.1.08.505 A14.1.08.506 |
| TA2 | 5739 |
| FMA | 62402 |
| Anatomical terms of neuroanatomy | |
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