The pons is in the brainstem situated between the midbrain and the medulla oblongata, and in front of the cerebellum. Most of the pons is supplied by the pontine arteries, which arise from the basilar artery. Hindbrain: regulates autonomic functions and coordinates movement. With that in mind, a major structure in the upper part of your brain stem is called the pons. In Latin, the word pons literally means bridge. In the center of the pons is an indentation, or line, called the basilar groove (also where the basilar artery is located). [5], The pons first evolved as an offshoot of the medullary reticular formation. The pons is in the brainstem situated between the midbrain and the medulla oblongata, and in front of the cerebellum. It contains a large number of tracts and nuclei. This center regulates the change from inhalation to exhalation. The pons relays information about motor function, sensation, eye movement, hearing, taste, and more. Brain Divisions . Brainstem Anatomy: Structures of the brainstem are depicted on these diagrams, including the midbrain, pons, medulla, basilar artery, and vertebral arteries.. The pons is a broad horseshoe-shaped mass of transverse nerve fibres that connect the medulla with the cerebellum. Inferior dissection. A blockage of the arteries that supply blood to the pons can cause a type of stroke known as lacunar stroke. Structure. The pons is a portion of the hindbrain that connects the cerebral cortex with the medulla oblongata. They make it possible for these structures to send messages — including sensory and motor information — … The main functions of the pons include: Controlling sleep cycles. Internal structure • Generally the pons contain the following :- 1. Individuals suffering from a lacunar stroke may experience numbness, paralysis, loss of memory, difficulty in speaking or walking, coma, or death. A separating groove between the pons and the medulla is the inferior pontine sulcus. Often the midbrain, pons, and medulla are referred to together as the brainstem. Regina Bailey is a board-certified registered nurse, science writer and educator. The brainstem acts as an automatic control center for important involuntary actions of the body, including heartbeat, breathing, blood pressure, and swallowing. The vestibulocochlear nerve aids in hearing and helps us maintain our equilibrium. See more. Basal plate neuroblasts give rise to the abducens nucleus, which forms the general somatic efferent fibers (GSE); the facial and motor trigeminal nuclei, which form the special visceral efferent (SVE) column, and the superior salivatory nucleus, which forms the general visceral efferent fibers (GVE) of the facial nerve. The pons is vital to the central and peripheral nervous system– a major reason for this being its connections to several cranial nerves including the trigeminal, abducens, facial, and vestibulocochlear nerves. The pons is the upper section of the brain stem that plays an important role in many essential processes. The pons is a broad, horseshoe-like shaped mass of transverse nerve fibers that connect between the cerebrum and cerebellum. Another primary function of the pons is to connect the forebrain with the hindbrain. Looking at the tasks assigned to pons, it serves to monitor the sleep and waking up functions while working in coordination with other parts of the nervous system. Pons. (b) The secondary vesicles at 5 … The pons is the largest part of the brainstem, located above the medulla and below the midbrain.It is a group of nerves that function as a connection between the cerebrum and cerebellum (pons is Latin for bridge). For example, when you run, you begin to breathe faster, and when you lie down on the couch to rest, you bre… Note: (a) The primary vesicles at 4 weeks (fetus). Injury to the pons may result in sleep disturbances, sensory problems, arousal dysfunction and coma. Pons: A specific section of the brain formed by the rounded prominence on the front surface of the brainstem. The pons (Varolii) is the middle portion of the three parts of the brainstem, sitting above the medulla and below the midbrain.It acts as a relay between the cerebellum and cerebral hemispheres.. The pons is a portion of the hindbrain that connects the cerebral cortex with the medulla oblongata. The pons helps to regulate the respiratory system by assisting the medulla oblongata in controlling breathing rate. It connects the cerebrum to the cerebellum through the cerebral peduncle. A number of cranial nerve nuclei are present in the pons: The functions of these four cranial nerves (V-VIII) include regulation of respiration, controls involuntary actions, sensory roles in hearing, equilibrium, and taste, and in facial sensations such as touch and pain, as well as motor roles in eye movement, facial expressions, chewing, swallowing, and the secretion of saliva and tears. What Does the Brain's Cerebral Cortex Do? Cerebrum. The pons can be broadly divided into two parts: the basilar part of the pons (ventral pons), and the pontine tegmentum (dorsal pons). All of the cranial nerves originate from the same side of the basilar groove, with the exception of the trigeminal nerve. Midbrain: connects the forebrain to the hindbrain. The pons can be broadly divided into two parts: the basilar part of the pons (ventral pons), and the pontine tegmentum (dorsal pons). The brainstem (brain stem) is the distal part of the brain that is made up of the midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata.Each of the three components has its own unique structure and function. The pons also coordinates balance in the head, neck, and body and plays a primary role in eye movement, sleeping, dreaming, digestion, swallowing, breathing, and the heartbeat. Sagittally, it is anterior to the cerebellum and posterior to the pituitary gland. This is really just a big word for a center of nerve cells that control the amount of air you breathe and how many times a minute you take a breath, which is known as the breathing rate. The pons has two over-arching roles. It serves as a relay signals between the lower cerebellum, spinal cord, the midbrain, cerebrum and other higher parts of the brain. [2], Within the pons is the pneumotaxic center consisting of the subparabrachial and the medial parabrachial nuclei. Respiratory center nuclei (apneustic & pneumotaxic nuclei / work with MO) 3. Pons definition, a band of nerve fibers in the brain connecting the lobes of the midbrain, medulla, and cerebrum. The pons contains nerves and nerve tracts (pathways) that integrate brain functions such as movement and sensory messages between the brain and the body. Most of it appears as a broad anterior bulge above the medulla. It functions as a bridge between several parts of the nervous system, including the cerebrum and cerebellum. Posteriorly, it consists mainly of two pairs of thick stalks called cerebellar peduncles. Pons Structure. Where is the pons? Brainstem, area at the base of the brain that lies between the deep structures of the cerebral hemispheres and the cervical spinal cord. Running down the midline of the ventral surface is the basilar sulcus, a groove for the basilar artery. They communicate by blinking or moving their eyes. The transverse sections of pons appear pear-shaped. Pons is separated from medulla in front by a furrow in which the abducent, facial, and acoustic nerves appear (Figs. Gross anatomy. The forebrain is comprised of: the thalamus, the cerebrum, and the hypothalamus. (The brain stem includes structures called the pons, medulla, and midbrain.) The pons (Varolii) is the middle portion of the three parts of the brainstem, sitting above the medulla and below the midbrain.It acts as a relay between the cerebellum and cerebral hemispheres.. The pons is the largest part of the brainstem, located above the medulla and below the midbrain.It is a group of nerves that function as a connection between the cerebrum and cerebellum (pons is Latin for bridge). Locked-in syndrome is most commonly caused by decreased blood flow to the pons or bleeding in the pons. It controls the amount of air breathed and breaths per minute, which is known as the breathing rate. The pons is a broad, horseshoe-like shaped mass of transverse nerve fibers that connect between the cerebrum and cerebellum. The pons is one of the major divisions of the brainstem. The brainstem is made up of three sections, and carries vital information to the body. Individuals with locked-in syndrome are consciously aware of what is going on around them but are unable to move any parts of their bodies except for their eyes and eyelids. The cerebellum, also known as the little brain, is located in the back of the brain. Forebrain: encompasses the cerebral cortex and brain lobes. The pons is the primary structure of the brain stem present between the midbrain and medulla oblongata. During embryonic development, the metencephalon develops from the rhombencephalon and gives rise to two structures: the pons and the cerebellum. The midbrain, pons and medulla oblongata comprise the brainstem. Nuclei & tracts in connection with the cerebellum 4. The midbrain houses the tegmentum and the tectum. [2], 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 posture. The pons is involved in several functions of the body including: Several cranial nerves originate in the pons. Directionally, the pons is superior to the medulla oblongata and inferior to the midbrain. Except for the first two cranial nerves, which are considered direct extensions of the brain itself, all cranial nerves emanate from the brainstem. As previously mentioned, a number of nuclei (groups of cells that serve a particular function) reside within the pons. Deep dissection. In this article, we’ll examine the main pons function and explain how this small structure helps your whole body function properly. Introduction. On gross examination, pons has convex anterior surface with shallow groove in the middle for the basilar artery. Often considered the smallest brain part. It also serves as a communications and coordination center between the two hemispheres of the brain. The lower pons contains cranial nerv… Components of the Brainstem. Damage to the myelin sheath of nerve cells in the pons results in a condition called central pontine myelinolysis. In addition, the pons is involved in the transmission of signals to and from other structures in the brain, such as the cerebrum or the cerebellum. Functions under the control of the cerebellum include fine motor coordination and control, balance, equilibrium, muscle tone, fine motor coordination, and a sense of body position. The midbrain consists of the tectum and tegmentum. [2], The pons is implicated in sleep paralysis, and may also play a role in generating dreams. There are two major divisions of forebrain: the diencephalon and the telencephalon. It also aids in our sense of taste and swallowing. As a part of the brainstem, the pons helps in the transferring of nervous system messages between various parts of the brain and the spinal cord. The pons is a structure of the vertebrate nervous system that can be found in the hindbrain, the lowest region of the brain. The pons activates inhibitory centers in the medulla in order to inhibit movement during sleep. Together, they help to regulate breathing, heart rate, blood pressure, and several other important functions.All of these brainstem functions are enabled because of its unique anatomy; since the … The pons is in the brainstem situated between the midbrain and the medulla oblongata, and in front of the cerebellum. Get a Description and Diagram of Thalamus Gray Matter, Hypothalamus Activity and Hormone Production, A.S., Nursing, Chattahoochee Technical College. The pons forms a very small part of the brain, as it measures only around 2.5 cm in length. In the pons, there is a structure called the pneumotaxic center. Dubuque, IA: McGraw-Hill, "Dream States: A Peek into Consciousness", Stained brain slice images which include the "Pons", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Pons&oldid=998414018, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, mid-pons: the 'chief' or 'pontine' nucleus of the, This page was last edited on 5 January 2021, at 07:48. The first is the regulation of breathing. Cranial nerves III and IV arise from the midbrain, V-VIII from the pons and the lower cranial nerves IX-XII from the medulla. A separating groove between the pons and the medulla is the inferior pontine sulcus. The superior pontine sulcus separates the pons from the midbrain. [4] The pons can be broadly divided into two parts: the basilar part of the pons (ventral pons), and the pontine tegmentum (dorsal pons). It also serves as a communications and coordination center between the two hemispheres of the brain. It is also the point of origin or termination for four The pons is part of a highway-like structure between the brain and the body known as the brainstem. The pons has a bulbous shape and has two main components - the basis pontis (basal/ventral part) and the pontine tegmentum (dorsal part).. This type of stroke occurs deep within the brain and typically only involves a small portion of the brain. As a part of the brainstem, the pons helps in the transferring of nervous system messages between various parts of the brain and the spinal cord. [1] This region of the brainstem includes neural pathways and tracts that conduct signals from the brain down to the cerebellum and medulla, and tracts that carry the sensory signals up into the thalamus.[2]. [2] The alar plate produces sensory neuroblasts, which will give rise to the solitary nucleus and its special visceral afferent (SVA) column; the cochlear and vestibular nuclei, which form the special somatic afferent (SSA) fibers of the vestibulocochlear nerve, the spinal and principal trigeminal nerve nuclei, which form the general somatic afferent column (GSA) of the trigeminal nerve, and the pontine nuclei which relays to the cerebellum. Pons is a part of the hindbrain present just above the medulla oblongata in the brain stem. A separating groove between the pons and the medulla is the inferior pontine sulcus. [6] Since lampreys possess a pons, it has been argued that it must have evolved as a region distinct from the medulla by the time the first agnathans appeared, 505 million years ago. They connect the cerebellum to the pons (middle cerebellar peduncle) and midbrain (superior cerebellar peduncle).[2]. Cranial nerves are the nerves that control functions of the head and neck, and the pontine tegmentum (back/dorsal portion) contains several of these nuclei. Because these structures are a part of the brainstem, they specifically assist in motor reflexes associated with visual and auditory stimuli (audio-/visual-spinal reflex).. Anatomy and Functions of the Midbrain. Running down the midline of the ventral surface is the basilar sulcus, a groove for the basilar artery. Parts Of The Brain And The Function Of Pons. The pons (Latin for "bridge") is part of the brainstem, and in humans and other bipeds lies inferior to the midbrain, superior to the medulla oblongata and anterior to the cerebellum. The fourth ventricle runs posteriorly to the pons and medulla in the brainstem. In the basilar pons (front/ventral portion) reside the pontine nuclei, which serve to connect the brain and cerebellum. The pons relays sensory information between the cerebrum and cerebellum. The pons is also called the pons Varolii ("bridge of Varolius"), after the Italian anatomist and surgeon Costanzo Varolio (1543–75). The myelin sheath is an insulating layer of lipids and proteins that help neurons conduct nerve impulses more efficiently. Most of it appears as a broad anterior bulge that is present above the medulla oblongata. The facial nerve enables facial movement and expressions. Saladin Kenneth S.(2007) Anatomy & physiology the unity of form and function. Her work has been featured in "Kaplan AP Biology" and "The Internet for Cellular and Molecular Biologists. The medulla oblongata (myelencephalon) is the lower half of the brainstem continuous with the spinal cord. ", ThoughtCo uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. The Cerebrum: The cerebrum or cortex is the largest part of the human brain, associated with higher brain function such as thought and action. The abducens nerve assists in eye movement. It acts as a sort of relay station for auditory … These symptoms are often the result of blood clot or stroke. The three components of the brainstem are the medulla oblongata, midbrain, and pons. (The brainstem is the lowest part of the brain that merges with the spinal cord; it consists of a structure called the medulla oblongata, the midbrain and the pons.) The pons is the middle, and largest, segment of the brainstem and is located inferior to the cerebellum, with which it has important connections. [7], Location and topography of Pons (animation), Axial section of the pons, at its upper part, Hind- and mid-brains; posterolateral view. The forebrain is the division of the brain that is responsible for a variety of functions including receiving and processing sensory information, thinking, perceiving, producing and understanding language, and controlling motor function.