The pontine nuclei are millions of neurons scattered in the front (basilar) part of the pons. They receive input from the cerebral cortex and pass it across to the opposite half of the cerebellum.
| Location | Basilar pons, among the descending corticospinal fibres |
|---|---|
| Parts |
|
| Connections |
|
| Blood Supply | Basilar artery (pontine branches) |
Relay plans for movement from the cortex to the cerebellum, a key step in coordinating skilled movements.
Strokes of the basilar pons can damage these nuclei, causing incoordination (ataxic hemiparesis). They degenerate in some inherited ataxias and multiple system atrophy, seen as a "hot cross bun" sign on MRI.
Weakness with incoordination on one side from a small pontine stroke.
Degenerative disease with loss of pontine neurons and crossing fibres.
This website uses cookies to enhance your experience. Some are essential for site functionality, while others help us analyze and improve your usage experience. Please review your options and make your choice.
If you are under 16 years old, please ensure that you have received consent from your parent or guardian for any non-essential cookies.
Your privacy is important to us. You can adjust your cookie settings at any time. For more information about how we use data, please read our privacy policy. You may change your preferences at any time by clicking on the settings button below.
Note that if you choose to disable some types of cookies, it may impact your experience of the site and the services we are able to offer.
Some required resources have been blocked, which can affect third-party services and may cause the site to not function properly.
This website uses cookies to enhance your browsing experience and ensure the site functions properly. By continuing to use this site, you acknowledge and accept our use of cookies.
