Brain
Pons
Bridge of the brainstem and sleep relay
Overview
The pons is the middle section of the brainstem, sitting between the midbrain above and the medulla oblongata below. It serves as a major relay connecting the cerebral cortex, cerebellum, and spinal cord. The pons contains nuclei for several cranial nerves and is critically involved in regulating sleep—particularly REM sleep.
Function
- Relays signals between cerebrum and cerebellum
- REM sleep generation and regulation
- Respiratory rhythmogenesis (pneumotaxic and apneustic centres)
- Controls eye movements and facial expressions
- Contains nuclei for cranial nerves V, VI, VII, VIII
Key Facts
- The word "pons" means bridge in Latin
- The pons generates the rapid eye movements (REM) of sleep
- Locked-in syndrome often results from pontine lesions
- The locus coeruleus in the pons is the largest norepinephrine centre in the brain