Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
The tectum is a region in the dorsal part of the midbrain involved in auditory and visual reflexes. It contains two pairs of bumps, the superior and inferior colliculi, which play roles in visual and auditory processing respectively.
Related terms
Superior colliculi: These are involved in preliminary visual processing and controlling eye movements.
Inferior colliculi: They play a key role in the auditory pathway, helping to relay sound information from the ear to the brain.
A part of the brainstem that acts as a relay center connecting the cerebrum with the spinal cord and cerebellum, involved in functions such as vision, hearing, motor control, sleep/wake cycles