The medial prefrontal cortex engages in various higher brain functions, including attention, transition of consciousness, and information integration, and is the central structure for the action of general anesthetics. In addition, it is considered both the end point for the bottom-up model of the layer-by-layer transmission of information and the starting point for the top-down modulation and integration of information. Classically, the medial prefrontal cortex can be divided into six layers of different functions in the vertical direction, and there are rich neural connections among the layers. In this review, we describe the laminar flow structures found in the medial prefrontal cortex, then discuss how general anesthetics change consciousness via the cortical laminar flow structures. To this aim, the article reviews the available evidence from current studies using rodents, primates, and human subjects that highlight the role of the medial prefrontal cortex in anesthesia.