The midbrain describes the most rostral region of the mammalian brainstem, caudally adjoining the pons and rostrally adjoining the diencephalon. Notable structures of the midbrain include: substantia nigra, ventral tegmental area, part of the red nucleus, the dorsal and ventral raphe nuclei, the midbrain reticular formation, and the superior colliculus.
The midbrain might be contiguous with the mesencephalon, but the term also implies connective and related structures. In many taxonomies, the midbrain along with the pons and medulla oblongata comprise the brainstem.
The midbrain develops from the mesencephalon, differentiating it from the rest of the brainstem, which develops from the rhombencephalon.
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