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The '''pons''' (sometimes '''pons Varolii''' after [[Costanzo Varolio]]) is a structure located on the [[brain stem]] making part of the [[hindbrain]]. It is [[cranial]] to the [[medulla oblongata]], [[caudal]] to the [[midbrain]], and [[ventral]] to the [[cerebellum]]. In [[human]]s and other [[biped]]s this means it is above the [[medulla]], below the midbrain, and [[anterior]] to the cerebellum.
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The '''pons''' (sometimes '''pons Varolii''') is part of the [[brainstem]] that links the [[medulla oblongata]] and the [[thalamus]].<ref>O.D.E. 2005</ref> In full it is ''pons Varolii'' named using the Latin word for "bridge" and after the Italian anatomist and surgeon [[Costanzo Varolio]] (1543–75).<ref name="Gray1862">{{cite book|author=Henry Gray|title=Anatomy, descriptive and surgical|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=btSyie_UtxAC&pg=PA514|accessdate=10 November 2010|year=1862|publisher=Blanchard and Lea|pages=514–}}</ref> It is [[Anatomical terms of location|cranial]] to the medulla oblongata, [[caudal (anatomical term)|caudal]] to the [[midbrain]], and [[ventral]] to the [[cerebellum]]. In [[human]]s and other [[biped]]s, this means it is above the medulla, below the midbrain, and [[anterior]] to the cerebellum. This [[white matter]] includes tracts that conduct signals from the [[cerebrum]] down to the cerebellum and medulla, and tracts that carry the sensory signals up into the thalamus.<ref name="Saladin Kenneth S.2007">Saladin Kenneth S.(2007)</ref>
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The pons in humans measures about 2.5&nbsp;cm or 1 inch in length. Most of it appears as a broad anterior bulge [[Anatomical_terms_of_location#Other_directional_terms|rostral]] to the medulla. Posteriorly, it consists mainly of two pairs of thick stalks called [[Superior cerebellar peduncle|cerebellar peduncle]]s. They connect the cerebellum to the pons and midbrain.<ref name="Saladin Kenneth S.2007" />
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==Function==
  
==Function==
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The pons contains [[Nucleus (neuroanatomy)|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]].<ref name="Saladin Kenneth S.2007"/>.
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The pons [[relay]]s [[sense|sensory]] [[information]] between the [[cerebellum]] and [[telencephalon|cerebrum]]; aids in relaying other messages in the brain; controls arousal, and regulates respiration (see [[respiratory centres]]). In some theories, the pon has a role in [[dream]]ing.<ref>[http://www.neurontic.com/2006/07/science-of-dreaming.html The "Science of Dreaming" in Neurontic: Psychology for the Modern Mind.].</ref>
  
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In some theories, the pon has a role in [[dream]]ing.<ref>[http://www.neurontic.com/2006/07/science-of-dreaming.html The "Science of Dreaming" in Neurontic: Psychology for the Modern Mind.].</ref>
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Within the pons is the [[pneumotaxic center]], a nucleus that regulates the change from inspiration to expiration.<ref name="Saladin Kenneth S.2007"/>
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The pons is implicated in [[sleep paralysis]], and also plays a role in generating dreams.{{Citation needed|date=March 2012}}
   
 
==Anatomy of the pons==
  
==Anatomy of the pons==
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* lower down in the pons: [[facial nerve nucleus]] (VII)
  
* lower down in the pons: [[facial nerve nucleus]] (VII)
 
* lower down in the pons: [[Vestibulocochlear nerve|vestibulocochlear]] nuclei ([[vestibular nuclei]] and [[cochlear nuclei]]) (VIII)
  
* lower down in the pons: [[Vestibulocochlear nerve|vestibulocochlear]] nuclei ([[vestibular nuclei]] and [[cochlear nuclei]]) (VIII)
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==Embryonic development==
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During embryonic development, the embryonic [[metencephalon]] develops from the [[rhombencephalon]] and gives rise to two structures: the pons and the cerebellum.<ref name="Saladin Kenneth S.2007"/> The [[alar plate]] produces sensory [[neuroblast]]s, which will give rise to the [[solitary nucleus]] and its [[special visceral afferent]] (SVA) column; the [[Cochlear nuclei|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 fibers|general somatic afferent column]] (GSA) of the [[trigeminal nerve]], and the [[pontine nuclei]] which relays to the [[cerebellum]].
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[[Basal plate (neural tube)|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]] of the [[facial nerve]].
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==Evolution==
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The pons first evolved as an offshoot of the medullary [[reticular formation]].<ref name=Pritchard>[[#refPritchard|Pritchard and Alloway ''Medical Neuroscience'']]</ref> Since lampreys possess a pons, it has been argued that it must have evolved as a region distinct from the [[medulla oblongata|medulla]] by the time the first [[agnathans]] appeared, 505 million years ago.<ref name=Butler>[[#refButler|Butler and Hodos ''Comparative vertebrate neuroanatomy: evolution and adaptation'']]</ref>
   
 
==Related diseases==
  
==Related diseases==
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==See also==
  
==See also==
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*[[Parabrachial area]]
 
*[[Raphe nuclei]]
  
*[[Raphe nuclei]]
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==Additional images==
  
==Additional images==
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{{Rhombencephalon}}
  
{{Rhombencephalon}}
 
[[Category:Brainstem]]
  
[[Category:Brainstem]]
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[[Category:pons]]
 
[[Category:Neuroanatomy]]
  
[[Category:Neuroanatomy]]
   

Latest revision as of 12:55, 25 October 2013

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Brain: Pons
Gray768
Diagram showing the positions of the three principal subarachnoid cisternæ. (Pons visible at center.)
Gray679
Anteroinferior view of the medulla oblongata and pons.
Latin {{{Latin}}}
Gray's subject #187 785
Part of Brain stem
Components
Artery pontine arteries
Vein transverse and lateral pontine veins
BrainInfo/UW hier-538
MeSH A08.186.211.132.810.428.600

The pons (sometimes pons Varolii) is part of the brainstem that links the medulla oblongata and the thalamus.[1] In full it is pons Varolii named using the Latin word for "bridge" and after the Italian anatomist and surgeon Costanzo Varolio (1543–75).[2] It is cranial to the medulla oblongata, caudal to the midbrain, and ventral to the cerebellum. In humans and other bipeds, this means it is above the medulla, below the midbrain, and anterior to the cerebellum. This white matter includes tracts that conduct signals from the cerebrum down to the cerebellum and medulla, and tracts that carry the sensory signals up into the thalamus.[3]

The pons in humans measures about 2.5 cm or 1 inch in length. Most of it appears as a broad anterior bulge rostral to the medulla. Posteriorly, it consists mainly of two pairs of thick stalks called cerebellar peduncles. They connect the cerebellum to the pons and midbrain.[3]

Function

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.[3].

In some theories, the pon has a role in dreaming.[4]

Within the pons is the pneumotaxic center, a nucleus that regulates the change from inspiration to expiration.[3]

The pons is implicated in sleep paralysis, and also plays a role in generating dreams.[citation needed]

Anatomy of the pons

The "knob-like" process (Basal pons) is 2 centimeters long and located on the anterior (front) of the brainstem. It is formed of nerves that travel from one side (left or right) to the other. Most other fibres in the brainstem travel up and down.

The posterior (back) surface of the pons forms part of the wall of the fourth ventricle of the brain.

Most blood to the pons is supplied by pontine arteries. These are small arteries that branch off the basilar artery of the Circle of Willis. Blood also comes from the anterior inferior, and superior cerebellar arteries.

There are two main domains in the pons for control of respiration:[5]

Cranial nerve nuclei

A number of cranial nerve nuclei are present in the pons:

Embryonic development

During embryonic development, the embryonic metencephalon develops from the rhombencephalon and gives rise to two structures: the pons and the cerebellum.[3] 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.

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 of the facial nerve.

Evolution

The pons first evolved as an offshoot of the medullary reticular formation.[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.[7]

Related diseases

  • Central pontine myelinosis, a demyelination disease that causes difficulty with sense of balance, walking, sense of touch, swallowing and speaking to mention just a few symptoms. In a clinical setting it is often associated with transplant. Undiagnosed it can lead to death or 'locked in' syndrome.

See also


Additional images

References

  1. ↑ O.D.E. 2005
  2. ↑ Henry Gray (1862). Anatomy, descriptive and surgical, 514–, Blanchard and Lea. URL accessed 10 November 2010.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Saladin Kenneth S.(2007)
  4. ↑ The "Science of Dreaming" in Neurontic: Psychology for the Modern Mind..
  5. ↑ Physiology at MCG 4/4ch6/s4ch6_10
  6. ↑ Pritchard and Alloway Medical Neuroscience
  7. ↑ Butler and Hodos Comparative vertebrate neuroanatomy: evolution and adaptation

External links


v·d·e
Brain: rhombencephalon (hindbrain)
Metencephalon/
pons

Dorsal/
(tegmentum)

surface: Locus ceruleus

Trigeminal lemniscus (Dorsal trigeminal tract, Ventral trigeminal tract)

cranial nuclei: GSA: Principal V/Spinal V - VIII-c (Dorsal, Anterior)/VIII-v (Lateral, Superior, Medial, Inferior) - SVE: Motor V - VII - GSE: VI - GVE: VII: Superior salivary nucleus

MLF, III, IV and VI (vestibulo-oculomotor fibers, medial vestibulospinal tract)

sensory/ascending: Trapezoid body/VIII - Superior olivary nucleus

Inferior cerebellar peduncle (Vestibulocerebellar tract)

motor/descending: Apneustic center • Pneumotaxic center (Medial parabrachial nucleus) - Lateral parabrachial nucleus

Ventral/
(base)

Middle cerebellar peduncles (Pontocerebellar fibers) - Pontine nuclei
motor/descending: Corticospinal tract - Corticobulbar tract - Corticopontine fibers

Raphe/reticular

Reticular formation (Caudal, Oral, Tegmental, Paramedian) • Raphe nuclei (Median)


Myelencephalon/
medulla

Dorsal

surface: Posterior median sulcus - Postero-lateral sulcus - Area postrema

cranial nuclei: GVA: VII,IX,X: Solitary/tract • SVA: Gustatory nucleus • GSE: XII  • GVE: IX,X,XI: Ambiguus • SVE: X: Dorsal • IX: Inferior salivatory nucleus - MLF, III, IV and VI

sensory/ascending: Gracile nucleus • Cuneate nucleus (Accessory cuneate nucleus) • Sensory decussation  • Medial lemniscus

motor/descending: Dorsal respiratory group

Ventral

motor/descending: Ventral respiratory group - Pyramid (Motor decussation) - Inferior olivary nucleus (Olivocerebellar tract, Rubro-olivary tract)
surface: Anterior median fissure - Antero-lateral sulcus - Arcuate nucleus of medulla - Olivary body

Raphe/reticular

Reticular formation (Gigantocellular, Parvocellular, Ventral, Lateral, Paramedian) • Raphe nuclei (Obscurus, Magnus, Pallidus)

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