AEMCA Practice Exam

What functions does the midbrain control?

1. Heart rate and blood pressure

2. Visual reflexes and movement control

3. Breathing and swallowing

4. Sensory processing and emotion

The correct answer is: Visual reflexes and movement control

The midbrain, also known as the mesencephalon, plays a crucial role in various functions, particularly in visual reflexes and movement control. One of its key structures is the superior colliculus, which is primarily involved in coordinating visual information and reflexive movements in response to visual stimuli, such as orienting the head and eyes towards a source of movement. Additionally, the midbrain contains the substantia nigra, which plays an essential role in motor control and is implicated in the regulation of movements, contributing to functions like posture and coordination. Thus, it is accurate to associate the midbrain with visual reflexes and movement control. The other options refer to functions primarily regulated by different parts of the brain; for instance, heart rate and blood pressure are largely controlled by the medulla oblongata, while breathing and swallowing relate more to the brainstem. Sensory processing and emotion are functions more typically associated with the thalamus and limbic system, respectively. This delineation of responsibilities underscores the specialized roles that different brain regions play in regulating various physiological and behavioral functions.