Part 11/16:
The midbrain, a crucial part of the brain stem beneath the cortex, is engaged in unconscious behaviors such as reflexes and orienting responses. The superior colliculus, a key midbrain structure, helps reorient gaze and attention based on visual stimuli — for instance, reflexively looking towards a sudden movement or object in space.
The midbrain also processes multisensory information, integrating visual, auditory, and tactile signals to generate rapid responses — crucial for survival in dynamic environments.