midbrain

American  

[mid-breyn] / ˈmɪdˌbreɪn /

noun

Anatomy.

1. the middle of the three primary divisions of the brain in the embryo of a vertebrate or the part of the adult brain derived from this tissue; mesencephalon.

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midbrain British  

/ ˈmɪdˌbreɪn /

noun

1. the nontechnical name for mesencephalon

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midbrain Scientific  

/ mĭd′brān′ /

1. The middle part of the vertebrate brain. In most animals except mammals, the midbrain processes sensory information. In mammals, it serves primarily to connect the forebrain with the hindbrain.

2. Compare forebrain hindbrain

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Etymology

Origin of midbrain

First recorded in 1870–75; mid- + brain

Example Sentences

This "comprehensive reference map" now serves as a global standard for evaluating how accurately midbrain models match real human biology.

From Science Daily • Nov. 3, 2025

The disorder harms midbrain dopaminergic neurons, which release dopamine to regulate movement and learning.

From Science Daily • Nov. 3, 2025

Published in Science Advances, the study reports that several methods used to grow midbrain cells also generated unwanted cells originating from other brain regions.

From Science Daily • Nov. 3, 2025

The flurry of electrical activity in the fish’s PAG neurons then triggers a brain response that makes the fish’s sound-related muscles start moving and more signal patterning starts happening in the midbrain.

From Salon • Jan. 8, 2024

The midbrain carries upon its back and upper surface four small rounded masses of cell-bodies, called the corpora quadrigemina.

From Physiology and Hygiene for Secondary Schools by Walters, Francis M.