The tectum is a brain region in the dorsal section of the brain stem that processes auditory input and some visual reflexes. It has two types of receptors, the superior and inferior colliculi, which control eye movements and auditory processes. Roof disease is a rare brain tumor that affects the tectum, and research on the tectum may contribute to medical advances for disorders such as Parkinson’s disease and stroke.
The tectum is the region of the brain located in the dorsal, or posterior, section of the brain stem, in the central section of the brain. The word tectum is Latin for “roof,” which indicates the location of this region relative to the brainstem. The roof of the midbrain also has projections leading to the spinal cord, allowing for a quick response time to stimuli. In mammals, its function is to process auditory input and some visual reflexes. In non-mammals, the tectum comprises the main visual area of the brain, similar to the function of the cerebral cortex in mammals.
There are two main types of receptors in the tectum: the superior colliculi and the inferior colliculi. The superior colliculi control primary eye movements and preliminary visual processing in humans. Visual input is picked up by the retina and impulses are then transmitted to the superior colliculi. Eye movement, and even head rotation and arm reaching movements, are then initiated in response to stimuli.
The inferior colliculus deals with auditory processes. It sits just below the superior colliculi, and the two work together to integrate sound location data and visual input to give a sense of space and location. Sound waves are collected by the cochlea, the inner part of the ear, and transmitted via the auditory nerve to the inferior colliculi. From there, these impulses are then transmitted to the thalamus and processed by the auditory cortex. It’s a complicated process that happens in microseconds.
Roof disease is rare, but occurs in about 10 percent of children ages three to 16, caused by spontaneous glial cell growth. This type of brain tumor is slow growing and is commonly asymptomatic. When symptoms do occur, they can include headache, nausea, vomiting, and irregular eye movements or an irregular gait. Surgical removal is limited due to the delicate roof structure and radiation is not recommended. Diagnostic tests, such as physical examination, a computed tomography (CT) scan, or biopsy, may be done, and the prognosis is usually good with regular monitoring.
Many areas of the brain are still not fully understood and research is ongoing. Study of the midbrain roof in both mammals and non-mammalians has provided much insight into how different species process external stimuli. Further research may contribute to medical advances for disorders such as Parkinson’s disease and stroke, in which hearing and vision are negatively affected.
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