Bridge (Pons)

Pons (Pons) - 1. See Pons. 2. Any area connecting two parts of an organ.

PONS Varolii, BRIDGE (pons) is a part of the brain stem (hindbrain structure), which looks like a transverse thickened ridge. The posterior surface, covered by the cerebellum, participates in the formation of the rhomboid fossa, the anterior surface borders the medulla oblongata below and the cerebral peduncles above. Inside the pons there are many pathways connecting the cerebral cortex with the spinal cord and the cerebellar cortex; in addition, inside it there are several nuclei of gray matter (V, VI, VII, VIII pair of cranial nerves, reticular formation). The trigeminal nerves extend from its anterior surface.

Bridge in anatomy

The pons (Latin pons; Greek πῶν) is a part of the brain stem, which is a narrow transverse ridge at the level of the medulla oblongata, consisting of gray and white matter. In anatomy, the bridge has the Latin name "pons" and the Greek name "πῶν".

The structure of the bridge is divided into two sections: anterior and posterior. The anterior part of the pons is located at the level of the anterior medullary fissure and connects to the pons through the middle cerebral artery. The posterior part of the pons begins at the level of the posterior medullary fissure.

Anterior bridge

The anterior pons consists of gray and white matter, as well as several nuclei. It forms the base of the pons and passes into the midbrain.

The gray matter of the anterior bridge is represented by the nuclei of the cranial nerves. It consists of two pairs of lateral (VI and VII) and two pairs of lower (VIII and IX) nuclei. The nuclei forming the anterior bridge are peripheral parts of the corresponding cranial nerves and are located on the border with the medulla oblongata and midbrain.

The white matter of the anterior pons consists of long pathways. These pathways connect the cerebral cortex with the spinal and medulla oblongata, as well as with the cerebellum. The white matter of the anterior pons also contains the nuclei of the reticular formation.

Rear bridge

The posterior pons also consists of gray and white matter and is located at the level of the posterior perforated substance. It connects to the cerebellum through the cerebellocerebellar fissure and to the medulla oblongata through the anterior medullary fissure.

The gray matter in the posterior pons is represented by only one nucleus - the middle pons, which is the peripheral part of the X pair of cranial nerves (accessory nerve).

The white matter of the posterior pons is formed by conductors that connect the cerebellum with other parts of the brain.