The
inferior colliculus (IC) (
Latin,
lower hill) is the principal midbrain nucleus of the auditory pathway and receives input from several peripheral
brainstem nuclei in the auditory pathway, as well as inputs from the auditory cortex. The inferior colliculus has three subdivisions: the central nucleus, a dorsal cortex by which it is surrounded, and an external cortex which is located laterally. Its bimodal neurons are implied in auditory-somatosensory interaction, receiving projections from
somatosensory nuclei. This
multisensory integration may underlie a filtering of self-effected sounds from vocalization, chewing, or respiration activities.