Pons

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Anatomy

  • It is part of the brainstem, lies between the midbrain and medulla oblongata.
  • It contains tracts that carry signals from the cerebrum to the medulla and to the cerebellum and also tracts that carry sensory signals to the thalamus.
  • it is connected to the cerebellum by the cerebellar peduncles.
  • It houses the respiratory pneumotaxic center and apneustic center that make up the pontine respiratory group in the respiratory center.
  • It co-ordinates activities of the cerebellar hemispheres.
  • Pons and medulla oblongata are parts of the hindbrain that form much of the brainstem.


Cranial nerve Nuclei

  • Motor and sensory nuclei of trigeminal nerve (V) (Mastication, Pain perception and light touch / Superficial pain, Corneal reflex, Jaw jerk reflex)
  • Abducens nucleus (VI): Eye movement
  • Facial nerve nucleus (VII):
    • Facial sensations such as touch and pain
    • Motor roles: Facial expressions, Swallowing, and the Secretion of saliva and tears.
    • Its problems are classified as UMN with symptoms of Spastic paralysis of the contralateral lower face. (Bell's palsy is LMN disease of facial nerve)
  • Vestibular nuclei and Cochlear nuclei) (VIII): Hearing, Equilibrium, Posture.


Function

  • Functions of these four cranial nerves (V-VIII) include regulation of respiration, control of involuntary actions, sensory roles in hearing, , and taste, and in
  • The pons contains nuclei that relay signals from the forebrain to the cerebellum, along with nuclei that deal primarily with sleep, respiration, swallowing, bladder control, hearing, equilibrium, taste, eye movement, facial expressions, facial sensation, and
  • Within the pons is the pneumotaxic center consisting of the subparabrachial and the medial parabrachial nuclei. This center regulates the change from inhalation to exhalation.
  • Pons is implicated in sleep paralysis, and may also play a role in generating dreams.


Clinical significance