Nucleus · one in each half of the brain
Superior colliculus
Also called Optic tectum (the matching part in other animals)
The midbrain's "look over there!" center, snapping your eyes toward things.
The superior colliculi are two small bumps on the back of the midbrain. They take in signals straight from the eyes, along with sound and touch, and turn your eyes and head toward anything interesting. They help drive the fast eye jumps called saccades.
Where it is
On the back of the midbrain, just below the pineal gland. It is the upper pair of four small bumps.
What it does
Aiming the eyes
It launches quick eye jumps, called saccades, to point your eyes at new targets.
Turning toward things
A sudden flash or movement at the edge of your vision makes you turn your head and eyes, largely thanks to this area.
Merging the senses
It lines up maps of sight, sound and touch, so a flash and a bang from the same spot point you to the same place.
Guiding attention
It helps choose what deserves your attention next.
Think of it as the spotlight operator in a theater, swinging the beam onto whoever just stepped onto the stage.
Works with
- Optic nerve (II)Some fibers from the eye travel straight here, skipping the main vision route.
- Primary visual cortexThe visual cortex sends it detailed information about what you are seeing.
- Substantia nigra pars reticulataThis gatekeeper sends braking signals to it and lifts them when a glance is allowed.
- PulvinarLike the superior colliculus, this part of the thalamus helps steer visual attention.
- Inferior colliculusIts hearing neighbor just below shares sound information to help locate things.
- Oculomotor nerve (III)Its commands reach eye-movement centers and nerves like this one, which move the eyes.
When it goes wrong
Trouble looking up
Pressure on this area, often from a tumor near the pineal gland, can make it hard to look upward.
For learning only, not medical advice. If you have a health concern, talk to a doctor.
Surprising facts
- In frogs, fish and birds, the matching structure is called the optic tectum. It holds a map of the animal's field of view.
Where the name comes from
Latin for "upper little hill". It is the upper of two pairs of small hills on the back of the midbrain.
Quick quiz
3 questions. Your answers are saved and come back in your daily review.
Which of these is a job of the superior colliculus?
Show the answer
Aiming the eyes. It launches quick eye jumps, called saccades, to point your eyes at new targets.
Aiming the eyes. It launches quick eye jumps, called saccades, to point your eyes at new targets.
The superior colliculus is part of which larger structure?
Show the answer
Midbrain. It belongs to the midbrain.
Midbrain. It belongs to the midbrain.
Which part fits this description? "Like the spotlight operator in a theater, swinging the beam onto whoever just stepped onto the stage."
Show the answer
Superior colliculus. It is the superior colliculus. The midbrain's "look over there!" center, snapping your eyes toward things.
Superior colliculus. It is the superior colliculus. The midbrain's "look over there!" center, snapping your eyes toward things.
These parts now come back in your daily review, just before you would forget them.
Practice it and its neighbors in 3DSources
- Neuroanatomy, Superior Colliculus, StatPearls, NCBI Bookshelf
- 19.2 How is Attention Implemented in the Brain?, OpenStax, Introduction to Behavioral Neuroscience
- Parinaud Syndrome, StatPearls, NCBI Bookshelf
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