Last edited: 8/11/2021

1. PONS ANATOMY AND FUNCTION

Pons: Anatomy and Function Medical Editor: Adara Garcia Maestu

OUTLINE Trigeminal Lemniscus

• Carries sensory information from the face to the thalamus
I) PONS AT THE LEVEL OF PRINCIPAL TRIGEMINAL o Pain
NUCLEUS o Temperature
II) PONS AT LEVEL OF ABDUCENS AND FACIAL o Crude touch
NUCLEI
o Pressure
III) SYSTEMS INVOLVING PONTINE STRUCTURES
IV) REVIEW QUESTIONS • These sensations are picked up by CN V (trigeminal) and
V) REFERENCES this tract originates when fibers divide from the spinal
nucleus of CN V at a lower level in the pons
Spinal Lemniscus
There are two important cross-sections of the pons.
Each of these cross-sections can be divided into: • Sensory information from the ventral and lateral
spinothalamic tracts in the spinal cord to the thalamus
• Basilar (ventral) part
o Pain
o Anterior to the trapezoid body
o Temperature
• Tegmental (dorsal) part
o Crude Touch
o Posterior to the trapezoid body
o Pressure
I) PONS AT THE LEVEL OF PRINCIPAL TRIGEMINAL Lateral Lemniscus
NUCLEUS
• Carries hearing information from the contralateral cochlea
to the inferior colliculus in the midbrain
• The fibers forming it cross in the trapezoid body

Ventral Spinocerebellar Tract

BASILAR / VENTRAL STRUCTURES • Ascending fibers carrying proprioceptive information from

Pontine Nuclei
• Synapse points of corticopontine motor fibers
o Impulse descends from the motor cortex
o Synapse at pontine nuclei
o Moves to the contralateral cerebellum through the
pontocerebellar fibers and the middle cerebellar
peduncles (see diagram)
• This informs the cerebellum of the motor plan
o Aids movement co-ordination
muscles, tendons and ligaments to the cerebellum
o Forms from lateral white column fibers at the
levels of L2 to Coccis
• This is used by the cerebellum as feedback on motor
movement
o Aids movement co-ordination
Rubrospinal Tract
• Descending motor pathway to flexor muscles

Tectospinal Tract
TEGMENTAL / DORSAL PORTION
• Descending motor information from inferior and superior
Trapezoid Body colliculi to muscles of the head, neck and eyes
• Crossing of acoustic striae (auditory fibers from cochlear • Allows us to respond quickly to visual and auditory stimuli
nerve) fibres from the cochlear nuclei cross and
move to the contralateral lateral leminiscus

Medial Longitudinal Fasciculus

• Ascending tract that connects the Nuclei of Cranial
Medial Lemniscus Nerves III, IV and VI comes from CN VI nucleus
• Carries sensory information from the dorsal column to the • Co-ordinates eye movements
thalamus • Can be damaged in multiple sclerosis internuclear paraplegia
o Proprioception
o Fine discriminative touch
o Vibrations

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Motor nucleus of CN V (trigeminal) TEGMENTAL / DORSAL PORTION
• Motor supply to structures of 1st pharyngeal arch Trapezoid Body
(muscles of mastication)
o Temporalis • Crossing of acoustic striae (auditory fibers from cochlear
o Masseter nerve)
o Medial pterygoid
o Lateral Pterygoid
o Suprahyoid muscles
• Special Visceral Efferent Fibers
Medial Lemniscus
Central/Principal Pontine Nucleus of CN V (trigeminal) • Carries sensory information from the dorsal column to the
• Receives sensory information from the face thalamus
o Fine touch of whole face o Proprioception
o Proprioception of the jaw o Fine discriminative touch
• General Afferent Fibers o Vibrations
Spinal Lemniscus
• Sensory information from the ventral and lateral
spinothalamic tracts in the spinal cord to the thalamus
o Pain
o Temperature
Fourth Ventricle o Crude Touch
• Filled with cerebrospinal fluid from the third ventricle o Pressure
o Through the cerebral aqueduct Ventral Spinocerebellar Tract
• CSF moves into the central canal of spinal cord or into
subarachnoid cisterns through: • Ascending fibers carrying proprioceptive information from
o Foramen of Luschka muscles, tendons and ligaments to the cerebellum
o Foramen of Magendi o Forms from lateral white column fibers at the
levels of L2 to Coccis
Superior Medullary Velum • This is used by the cerebellum as feedback on motor
• Section of tissue found behind the ventricle movement
o Aids movement co-ordination
Superior Cerebellar Peduncles
• Connect the midbrain to the cerebellum
• A small piece can be seen at this level of the pons Spinal Nucleus of CN V (trigeminal)
• Extends from lower part of the pons to the top of the
II) PONS AT LEVEL OF ABDUCENS AND FACIAL spinal cord
NUCLEI • Receives sensory information from the ipsilateral face
o Pain
o Temperature
o Crude touch
o Pressure
• Some fibers leave the nucleus to form the trigeminal
lemniscus higher up in the pons
• Also receives sensations from the middle ear through
General Somatic Afferent Fibers of CN VII (facial)

Motor Nucleus of CN VII (facial)

• Supplies muscles of 2nd pharyngeal arch (facial
expression)
o Occipitofrontalis
o Orbicularis oculi
BASILAR / VENTRAL PORTION o Orbicularis ori
o Buccinator
Pontine Nuclei o Platysma
• Synapse points of corticopontine motor fibers • Special Visceral Efferent Fibers
o Impulse descends from the motor cortex
o Synapse at pontine nuclei
o Moves to the contralateral cerebellum through the
pontocerebellar fibers and the middle cerebellar
peduncles (see diagram)
• This informs the cerebellum of the motor plan
Superior Salivatory Nucleus of CN VII (facial)
o Aids movement co-ordination
• Parasympathetic stimulus to lacrimal, palatine and
salivary glands
• General Visceral Efferent Fibers

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 Medial Longitudinal Fasciculus
• Ascending tract that connects the Nuclei of Cranial
Nerves III, IV and VI
• Co-ordinates eye movements
Nucleus of Tractus Solitarius of CN VII (facial) • Can be damaged in multiple sclerosis
• Sensory information from anterior 2/3 of tongue
o Gustation (taste)
• Special Visceral Afferent Fibers

Fourth Ventricle
• Filled with cerebrospinal fluid from the third ventricle
o Through the cerebral aqueduct
General Somatic Afferent Fibers from CN VII • CSF moves into the central canal of spinal cord or into
Pick up sensory information from the middle ear, external subarachnoid cisterns through:
ear and tympanic membrane o Foramen of Luschka
They are sent to the spinal nucleus of CN V o Foramen of Magendi
General Somatic Afferent Fibers Facial Colliculus
• Small indent created on the floor of the 4th ventricle
• Caused by fibers of the facial nerve wrapping around the
Abducens Nucleus (CN VI) CN V (abducens) nucleus

• Supplies lateral rectus muscles III) SYSTEMS INVOLVING PONTINE STRUCTURES

o Abduction of the eyes
• General Somatic Efferent Fibers Motor System
1) Cortex sends motor information down various
descending motor fibers via the cerebral peduncle
Vestibular Nuclear Complex (crus cerebri)
2) Corticopontine fibers synapse at the pontine
• Only superior, medial and lateral parts are seen in the
nuclei
pons
3) Axons from the pontine nuclei form
o The inferior portion is found in the medulla
pontocerebellar fibers that bring this information
• Plays a part in----- to the contralateral cerebellum through the middle
cerebellar peduncles
4) The cerebellum combines this information with
proprioceptive feedback from ventral
spinocerebellar tracts
Dorsal + Ventral Cochlear Nuclei
5) Cerebellum relays new motor plan to the cortex
• Receive hearing information from cochlear branch of CN 6) Corticospinal fibers pass around the pontine
VIII (vestibulocochlear) nuclei and decussate in the pyramids of the
• Sends fibers through the trapezoid body to the medulla
contralateral part of the pons
• These fibers ascend as the lateral lemniscus
• Both nuclei are separated by a piece of the inferior
cerebellar peduncles
o Connect the medulla to the cerebellum

Superior Olivary Nuclei

• Play a role in determining intensity, velocity and timing of
hearing sensations
Ascending Pathways

Medial Lemniscus Pathway

Rubrospinal Tract Carries sensory information from the body
• Descending motor pathway to flexor muscles o Proprioception
o Fine discriminative touch
o Vibrations
Fibers move up the spinal cord in ipsilateral dorsal
Tectospinal Tract column
• Descending motor information from inferior and superior Synapse at nucleus gracilis and nucleus cuneatus in
colliculi to muscles of the head, neck and eyes the medulla
• Allows us to respond quickly to visual and auditory stimuli Internal arcuate fibers decussate in the medulla and
ascend upwards as the medial lemniscus
Fibers synapse in the thalamus

Pons anatomy and function NEURO PHYSIOLOGY: Note #1. 3 of 6

Trigeminal Lemniscus Pathway
Carries all sensory information from the face
Fibers synapse in the spinal nuclei
a. Mesencephalic nucleus
b. Principal pontine nucleus
c. Spinal nucleus
2nd order neurons ascend upwards as the trigeminal
lemniscus
Fibers synapse in the thalamus

Spinal Lemniscus (spinothalamic tract)

Carries sensory information from the body
o Crude touch
o Pain
o Temperature
o Pressure
Fibers synapse at the dorsal grey horn
Cross over to the contralateral side
Move upwards as the ventral and lateral
spinothalamic tracts
Come together to form the spinal lemniscus
Synapse at the thalamus
Ventral spinocerebellar tract
Carries proprioceptive information from muscles, tendons
and ligaments
Fibers synapse at the dorsal grey horn
Cross over to the contralateral side
Move upwards as the lateral white column
Enters the cerebellum through the superior cerebellar
peduncles
Moves to the ipsilateral cerebellum behind the pons
Figure 2 Diagram showing the various structures involved in the
vestibular pathway
Cochlear Pathway
CN VIII (vestibulochoclear) carries hearing information
from the ear to the dorsal + ventral cochlear nuclei
o Some fibers cross over and move upwards as the
dorsal and intermediate acoustic striae
o Some fibers cross over and synapse at the superior
olivary nucleus
o Both these fibers come together to form the lateral
lemniscus
The crossing of fibers at the level of the pons forms the
trapezoid body
The lateral lemniscus synapses at the inferior colliculus
after which information is sent to the thalamus

Figure 3 Diagram showing the various structures involved in the

cochlear pathway
Descending Pathways
Figure 1 Diagram showing the various structures involved in the
ascending pathways Tectospinal tract
Vestibular Pathway Stimuli from the tectum to muscles of the eyes, head and
neck
CN VIII (vestibulocochlear) carries equilibrium
o Superior Colliculus→ Visual stimuli
sensations from the inner ear to the vestibular nuclear
complex o Inferior Colliculus→ Auditory stimuli
o Movements of the head and neck Allows rapid response of the eyes, head and neck to
o Up and down movements visual and auditory stimuli
o Dynamic + equilibrium
Rubrospinal tract
Vestibular nuclear complex sends fibers to:
o Downwards to extensor muscles (vestibulospinal Brings motor information from the red nucleus in the
tract) midbrain to flexor muscles
 Maintains posture o Primarily distal flexors of upper extremities
o To the vestigial nucleus in the cerebellum Through Regulates force, velocity and direction of movement
the inferior cerebellar peduncles
 Helps maintain balance
o To contralateral CN VI (abducens) nucleus
 Stimulates nuclei of CN III (oculomotor) and CN
IV (trochlear) through the Medial Longitudinal
Fasciculus
 Co-ordinates eye movements and keeps steady
gaze when head moves

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 Allows for abduction of the eye

Facial Nerve
Supplies muscles of facial expression
o Temporalis
o Orbicularis Oculi
o Orbicularis Ori
o Buccinator
o Platysma
Stimulates lacrimation and salivation through
parasympathetic fibers
Figure 4 Diagram showing the structures involved in the Receives gustation (taste) from the anterior 2/3rds of the
descending pathways tongue
Receives sensation from the middle ear, external ear and
Ventricular System
tympanic membrane
System of production and flow of CSF within the CNS
Trigeminal Nerve
CSF is formed in the choroid bodies of the lateral Supplies muscles of mastication
ventricles o Motor nucleus in the pons
CSF drains into the third ventricle through the
interventricular foramen (foramen of Monroe) Receives sensory information from the face
CSF flows into the fourth ventricle through the o Mesencephalic nucleus in the midbrain
cerebral aqueduct  Proprioceptive information from the muscles of the
Fourth ventricle becomes central canal of the spinal jaw
cord o Principal pontine nucleus in the pons
Some CSF leaks into the subarachnoid space through  Fine and Discriminative touch
the Foramen of Magendi and Foramina of Luschka  Vibration
CSF is reabsorbed into the superior sagittal sinus  Proprioception
through arachnoid granulations o Spinal nucleus in the pons and medulla
 Pain
 Temperature
 Crude Touch
 Pressure

Figure 5 The ventricular system

th
Floor of the 4 ventricle
The median sulcus bisects the floor of the ventricle
vertically
Medial Eminence → Prominences on each side of the
median sulcus
Sulcus Limitans → Found lateral to the median
eminence
Facial Colliculus → Depression on the back of the pons
created by fibers of CN VII (facial) wrapping around the
CN VI (abducens) nucleus
Stria Medullaris → Horizontal line that separates the
back of the pons (above) from the back of the medulla
(below)

Figure 6 Diagram of the 4th ventricle viewed posteriorly

Cranial Nerves in the Pons

Abducens Nerve
Supplies lateral rectus muscle

Pons anatomy and function NEURO PHYSIOLOGY: Note #1. 5 of 6

 IV) REVIEW QUESTIONS

1) Which of the following information travels through

the medial lemniscus?
a. Contralateral temperature from the body
b. Contralateral vibration from the body
c. Proprioceptive information from muscles, tendons
and ligaments
d. Sensory information from the contralateral face
2) Which of the following connects the third and fourth
ventricles in the brain?
a. Foramen of Monroe
b. Cerebral Aqueduct
c. Foramen of Magendi
d. Interventricular foramina
3) Which is true of the superior olivary nuclei
a. Involved in the maintenance of balance
b. Determine velocity of sound
c. Fibers from it cross the pons forming the trapezoid
body
d. Are situated at the level of the principal trigeminal
nuclei
4) The motor nucleus of CN VII (facial) contains…
a. Special Visceral Efferent (SVE) Fibers
b. General Visceral Afferent (GVA) Fibers
c. General Visceral Efferent (GVE) Fibers
d. General Somatic Afferent (GSA) Fibers

CHECK YOUR ANSWERS

V) REFERENCES
● Sabatine MS. Pocket Medicine: the Massachusetts General
Hospital Handbook of Internal Medicine. Philadelphia: Wolters
Kluwer; 2020.
● Le T. First Aid for the USMLE Step 1 2020. 30th anniversary
edition: McGraw Hill; 2020.
● Williams DA. Pance Prep Pearls. Middletown, DE: Kindle Direct
Publishing Platform; 2020.
● Papadakis MA, McPhee SJ, Rabow MW. Current Medical
Diagnosis & Treatment 2018. New York: McGraw-Hill
Education; 2017.
● Jameson JL, Fauci AS, Kasper DL, Hauser SL, Longo DL,
Loscalzo J. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, Twentieth
Edition (Vol.1 & Vol.2).
● McGraw-Hill Education / Medical; 2018 Marieb EN, Hoehn K.
Anatomy & Physiology. Hoboken, NJ: Pearson; 2020.
● Boron WF, Boulpaep EL. Medical Physiology.; 2017.
● Netter FH, Felten DL, Józefowicz Ralph F. Netter's Atlas of
Human Neuroscience. Teterboro, NJ: Icon Learning Systems; 2004.
Netter FH. Atlas of Human Anatomy.

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