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mesencephalon
(mez″en-sefŽә-lon)
the short part of the brainstem just above the pons; it contains the nerve pathways between the cerebral hemispheres and the medulla oblongata, as well as nuclei (relay stations
or centers) of the third and fourth cranial nerves. The center for visual reflexes, such as moving the head and eyes, is located
here.
the middle of the three primary brain vesicles of the embryo; called also midbrain. adj., mesencephalŽic., adj.
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