Definition
The inferior colliculus is part of the central auditory system; specifically, it is located in the tectal region of the midbrain, posterior to the superior colliculus, and anterior to the trochlear nerve. The inferior colliculus is the “site of brain stem convergence and multisensory integration” (Winer and Schreiner 2005, p. 3) containing neurons that are sensitive to interaural timing and intensity difference, which are important in sound localization. Other functions that have been shown to be related to this structure include sound integration, multisensory integration including startle reflex and vestibuloocular reflex, and amplitude modulation of frequencies necessary for detection of pitch.
As part of the central auditory pathway, the inferior colliculus receives projections from the superior olivary nuclei and the cochlear nuclei via the lateral lemniscus. The inferior colliculus sends projections to the medial geniculate nucleus, which in turn projects to the...
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Webb, S.J. (2018). Inferior Colliculi. In: Volkmar, F. (eds) Encyclopedia of Autism Spectrum Disorders. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6435-8_644-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6435-8_644-3
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