Pons (Human Anatomy): Image, Functions, Diseases and Treatments

• Your pons is a part of your brainstem, which runs from the brain to the spinal cord. It controls activities and automatic processes like breathing and your sleep-wake cycle. There are numerous junctions in this region for the nerves that manage your muscles and transmit sensory data to your brain and face.
• The pons is the second-lowest region of your brainstem, located just above your medulla oblongata. It establishes a crucial connection between your brain, which is situated above it, and your spinal cord, which is situated below it in the medulla oblongata.
• Your pons is an important convergence location for numerous of your cranial nerves, which have direct connections to the brain. These nerve connections are essential for numerous of your senses on or in your head, as well as your capacity to move different portions of your face and mouth.

The pons is one of the lowermost structures of the brain, located near the base of your skull. It's just above your medulla oblongata, which links to your spinal cord through the base of your skull.

The hue of your pons is beige or off-white. Its form resembles the top stem of a cauliflower branch.

Pons' dimensions are:

• The height is 1.06 inches (27 millimetres [mm]),
• Width is 1.49 inches (38 mm), and
• Depth is 0.98 inches (25 mm).

Similar to the remainder of your brain and nervous system, your pons is composed of a variety of nerve cell types and structures. The nuclei are nerves or groups of brain cells with similar functions or attachment sites. The following cell types make up the nucleus and are described in greater detail below:

• Neurons: Your brain and nerves are composed of these signal-sending and receiving cells. They are also capable of transforming chemical messages into electrical ones.
• Glial cells: Neuronal glial cells have a supportive function. Although they do not perform actual signalling, they provide support for neurons in the nervous system.
• Neurons: Neurons are the cells in your nervous system that send and receive information through chemical and electrical impulses. One neuron is made up of the following parts:
1. Cell body: This is the main part of the structure of a cell.
2. Axon: An axon is a long structure that looks like an arm or leg and extends from the cell body in all directions. At the end of the axon, there are many finger-like extensions. This is where the electrical signal is changed into a chemical signal in the neuron. These links are called synapses, and they lead to nerve cells that are close to each other.
3. Dendrites: These are extensions of the cell body that look like trees (their name originates from Latin). Dendrites get chemical messages from synapses that are close by.
4. Myelin: This delicate, fatty layer protects neuron axons.

Dendrites of a single neuron may connect to thousands of other synapses, and the networks formed by neurons are extraordinarily complex. Some neurons are longer than others, and this variation often reflects their specific location and function within the body.

• Glial cells: Glial (pronounced glee-uhl) cells are involved in a wide range of processes, from helping to form new neurons when you're young to regulating existing neurons as you age. Myelin sheaths protect neuronal axons and play other important roles in the nervous system, including warding off infections and maintaining chemical equilibrium. Ten times as many glial cells as neurons make up your nervous system.

• The portion of the brainstem known as the pons is what makes the connection between the brain and the spinal cord. As a consequence of this, the pons is an important component of your nervous system because it serves as a conduit for signals travelling to and from the brain. The pons is home to a number of neurotransmitters that play an important role in brain function, particularly sleep.
• Your pons is responsible for a number of vital functions on its own.
• It has an effect on the cycle of sleep. The pons is the part of the brain that decides how alert your body will be when you first open your eyes.
• It controls pain signals. The pons relays pain signals from below the neck.
• This region can connect. The pons connects to the cerebellum, which controls movement and coordination. It works with other brainstem breathing-control regions.

• Your pons has connections for four of your 12 cranial nerves. Cranial nerves are brain-connected nerves. Roman numerals are used to list your cranial nerves. The pons receives these nerves.
• Trigeminal nerve (Cranial Nerve V): Your trigeminal nerve (try-gem-in-all) regulates the muscles that you use to chew as well as the touch and pain sensations in your face.
• Abducens nerve (CN VI): The abducens nerve allows you to move your eyes. Double vision may be the consequence of an injury to this nerve (diplopia).
• Facial nerve (CN VII): This nerve controls the majority of your facial emotions as well as the taste sensation from the front of the tongue.
• Vestibulocochlear nerve (CN VIII): It's the vestibulocochlear (vest-ib-you-lo-co-klee-ar) nerve, which divides into the vestibular nerve and the cochlear nerve. Your equilibrium is controlled by the vestibular (vest-ib-you-lar) nerve. Your ability to hear is due to a nerve called the cochlear (co-klee-ar).

Your pons transmits sensory information and regulates unconscious bodily functions. Breathing and the sleep-wake cycle are two examples. You can restrict or prevent harm by using your pons' ability to manage pain.

The pons may be affected by a variety of brain disorders. There are several circumstances that will have a direct impact on your pons.

• Brain tumors (including cancer): These tumours may form in your pons and cause damage.
• Chronic epilepsy: Epilepsy that lasts more than a month is called chronic epilepsy.
• Pontocerebellar atrophy (PCA): A uncommon condition in which the cerebellum, which is located behind the pons, deteriorates.
• Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea (PND): A sleeping disorder that causes nightly awakenings with shortness of breath.
• Tourette syndrome: Tourette syndrome is a neurological disorder characterised by tics or uncontrollable movements, often affecting one or more body regions.
• Cranial nerve injuries: Damage to the nerves that leave your brain, go through your skull, and enter your neck can cause problems with your pons. That includes head injuries caused by car accidents, falls, and seizures.
• Central pontine myelinolysis (CMML): It is a dangerous disease caused by a viral infection that destroys your brain and spinal cord's white matter.
• Multiple sclerosis: It is a chronic autoimmune illness that causes damage to the myelin sheath that surrounds nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.Locked-in syndrome from trauma or stroke.
• Multiple system atrophy: Slowly progressing degenerative disorder affecting motor, sensory, and autonomic nerve systems.
• Olivopontocerebellar atrophy: A form of PCA that affects the cerebellum (which is situated behind the pons).
• Brain injury: If your brain is harmed, it's possible that your pons will have issues. This includes injuries to the head that may have been caused by things such as vehicle accidents, falls, convulsions, or strikes to the head.
• Stroke: A stroke occurs when blood supply to the brain is abruptly cut off. This may lead to a variety of neurological issues, including damage to the pons as well as other parts of the brain.

Conditions affecting the pons have a wide range of possible symptoms, depending on the specific area of the pons that is impacted. There are diverse physiological responses to damage in various parts of the pons. These are among the most often encountered signs and symptoms:

• Ataxia (lack of coordination).
• Deafness.
• Double vision (diplopia).
• Decreased sensitivity to touch (Including sensitivity to touch, heat, and discomfort).
• Nystagmus.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Paralysis (has an effect on a specific area of your body or face; If the pons is severely injured, a person will experience locked-in syndrome, in which they will be completely paralysed save for their eye movements.).
• Vertigo.
• Tinnitus (annoying ear noises).

When diagnosing conditions that are related to your pons, medical professionals may choose to perform one or more of the following tests:

• Blood tests (These are able to identify a wide variety of diseases, ranging from difficulties with the immune system to toxins and poisons, particularly metals such as copper, mercury, or lead).
• Computerised tomography (CT) scan: It generates comprehensive X-ray images of your body.
• EEG (electroencephalogram) test: This test may reveal the source of seizures or sleep disturbances by measuring brain waves.
• MEG (magnetoencephalography) test: The MEG test uses magnetic fields and electrodes to map the brain's activity.
• MRI (magnetic resonance image) scan: A type of scan that uses radio waves and a powerful magnetic field to obtain exact images of your brain and spinal cord.
• Myelin mapping: The myelin sheath in the brain and spinal cord is recorded using a dye.
• Nuclear medicine examination (nuclear imaging): A type of imaging test in which radioactive materials are used to detect pons abnormalities.
• Psychological tests: Psychological tests are used to evaluate mental qualities such as IQ, memory, and problem-solving abilities.
• Evoked potentials (sensory tests): Evaluations that quantify the firing rate of nerves in response to specific stimuli.
• Positron emission tomography (PET) scan: A type of brain scan that uses radioactive substances to indicate the degree of activity in particular brain regions.
• Single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) scan: In this form of scan, radioactive materials are utilised to determine the level of activity in various regions of the brain.

• Botulinum toxin (botox) Injections: These shots stop nerve signals from going to the wrong muscles. This can make ataxia symptoms better overall.
• Cognitive Rehabilitation Programmes: Cognitive rehabilitation programmes help people who have had a brain injury get back their ability to think, learn, and talk.
• Drug Therapy (Medications): Numerous disorders that present in the pons may be treated with pharmaceuticals from a range of classes, including antipsychotics, antidepressants, and seizure treatments.
• Autonomic Nerve System Dysfunction (also known as Dysautonomia): Conditions like multiple system atrophy and olivopontocerebellar atrophy have been linked to a wide range of health problems, including diabetes, high blood pressure, rapid heart rate, and irregular breathing. In addition to medicine, treatment may involve making changes to one's way of life.
• Kinesiotaping: Kinesiotaping is applying athletic tape to the body in order to stretch or compress the muscles. This alleviates the symptoms of both ataxia and MSA.
• Stroke Rehabilitation: Stroke rehabilitation is the process of restoring function to areas of the body that were impaired as a result of a stroke. Included in this category are exercises designed to improve blood circulation, balance, and coordination, as well as speech and swallowing rehabilitation.

• Steroids for reducing inflammation of Pons: There is a class of drugs called as corticosteroids that has the ability to reduce inflammation throughout the body.
• Acetazolamide (Diamox) for reducing high blood pressure and migraines: Acetazolamide treats migraines and hypertension.
• Amantadine (Symmetrel) for treating symptoms of Parkinson's disease: Parkinson's disease medication amantadine helps with tremors, walking, and balance.
• Benzodiazepines for relief from anxiety and insomnia: Anti-anxiety and anti-insomnia medications include benzodiazepines.
• Beta blockers for reducing heart attack risk: Beta-blockers are medications that prevent blood clotting and are used to treat heart attacks.
• Analgesics for pain in Pons: Analgesics are pain-relieving drugs. Ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and naproxen are a few examples.
• Antibiotics for infection in Pons: Antibiotics are medications used to treat infections.
• Nutritional supplements for reducing pain in Pons: The use of nutritional supplements can reduce discomfort and improve performance. Examples include omega-3 fatty acids and glucosamine sulphate.
• Antivirals for treating infection of Pons: Antiviral medication is utilised to treat infections. Zidovudine, famciclovir, and valacyclovir are a few examples.Chemotherapeutic medicines for Pons

Some illnesses affecting the pons are avoidable, whilst others arise spontaneously. You can frequently reduce your likelihood of being ill or experiencing other issues. The most effective ways to stop it are:

• Consume balanced meals. A deficiency or excess of a vitamin can impact the brain and nervous system. Taking care of your nutrition can also improve blood circulation, which impacts brain function.
• Take care of ongoing health problems. Many diseases that affect the brain, like uncontrolled high blood pressure, get worse over time. In some cases, treating these disorders might stop or slow their progress, making it less likely that the brain will be permanently damaged.
• Use the safety gear. Head injuries, like concussions and traumatic brain injuries, can cause damage to the brain. In some cases, the damage will be permanent. Safety gear like helmets can keep you from getting hurt in the head when you're at work or having fun.
• Engage in regular physical activity and make an effort to maintain a healthy body weight. Stroke and other circulatory disorders are two examples of brain conditions that can be delayed or avoided if the patient maintains a healthy weight and regular exercise routine.