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The isthmus of the rhomboid
Last reviewed: 07.07.2025

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The isthmus of the rhombencephalon (istmus rhombencephali - BNA) unites the structures formed at the border of the midbrain and rhombencephalon. These are the superior cerebellar peduncles (pedunculi cerebellares craniales, s. superiores), the superior medullary velum (velum medullare superius) and the triangle of the loop (trigonum linisci - BNA).
The superior cerebellar velum is a thin sheet of white matter stretched between the superior cerebellar peduncles and the cerebellum. In front (above) it is attached to the roof of the midbrain, where the frenulum of the superior cerebellar velum (frenulum veli medullares superioris) ends in the groove between the two inferior colliculi. On the sides of the frenulum, the roots of the trochlear nerve emerge from the brain tissue. Together with the superior cerebellar peduncles, the superior cerebellar velum forms the anterior-superior wall of the roof of the fourth ventricle of the brain. In the lateral parts of the isthmus of the rhombencephalon there is a gray formation - the triangle of the loop. Its borders are: in front - the handle of the inferior colliculus, behind and above - the superior cerebellar peduncle, on the side - the cerebral peduncle, which is separated from the isthmus of the rhombencephalon by the lateral groove. In the area of the triangle, deep within it, lie the fibers of the lateral (auditory) loop (liniscus lateralis).
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