PONS

PONS

Describe the external features

The Pons is a part of the brainstem that connects the midbrain to the medulla oblongata. It is situated between the fourth ventricle and the anterior medullary velum. The external surface of the pons is convex in shape and has a smooth appearance. It is divided into two parts: the anterior part and the posterior part.

Describe the structures in the transverse section

In a transverse section of the pons, several structures can be identified. These include:

• The anterior surface: contains the facial colliculus and the corticospinal tract.
• The posterior surface: contains the trigeminal lemniscus and the spinothalamic tract.
• The superior part: contains the cranial nerve V (trigeminal nerve) and the trochlear nerve (cranial nerve IV).
• The inferior part: contains the cranial nerve VI (abducens nerve) and the hypoglossal nerve (cranial nerve XII).

Describe the blood supply

The pons receives its blood supply from several arteries, including:

• The anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA) and the superior cerebellar artery (SCA) supply the anterior part of the pons.
• The basilar artery supplies the posterior part of the pons.
• The anterior spinal artery and the vertebral arteries supply the inferior part of the pons.

Describe the applied anatomy

The pons is an important structure that plays a crucial role in the functioning of the brain. It is involved in the control of various functions, including:

• The pons is responsible for the transmission of sensory information from the face and head to the brain.
• It plays a role in the control of eye movements and the transmission of signals from the eye to the brain.
• The pons is involved in the regulation of the autonomic nervous system, which controls various involuntary functions, such as heart rate and breathing.

Applied anatomy points:

• The facial colliculus is an important landmark that can be used to identify the location of the pons in the brain.
• The trigeminal lemniscus is a structure that carries sensory information from the face to the brain.
• The corticospinal tract is a structure that carries motor signals from the brain to the spinal cord.

Key structures in the pons:

• Cranial nerve V (trigeminal nerve)
• Cranial nerve VI (abducens nerve)
• Cranial nerve VII (facial nerve)
• Cranial nerve VIII (vestibulocochlear nerve)
• Trochlear nerve (cranial nerve IV)
• Hypoglossal nerve (cranial nerve XII)

Key functions of the pons:

• Control of eye movements
• Transmission of sensory information from the face and head
• Regulation of the autonomic nervous system
• Control of various involuntary functions, such as heart rate and breathing.