The upper half of the midbrain tectum, it receives direct visual inputs from the fibers in the optic tract that continue past the lateral geniculate. Most of these axons terminate in the superficial layer of the superior colliculus where they endow it with a accurate mapping of the contralateral visual hemifield. The SC controls saccadic eye movements and is the source of the tectospinal tract which controls head movements. Optic tectum is another name.
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