pons

¹ American  

[ponz] / pɒnz /

noun

Anatomy.

plural

pontes

1. Also called pons Varolii.  a band of nerve fibers in the brain connecting the lobes of the midbrain, medulla, and cerebrum.

2. any tissue connecting two parts of a body organ or structure.

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Pons ² American  

[ponz, pawns] / pɒnz, pɔ̃s /

noun

1. Lily 1904–76, U.S. operatic soprano, born in France.

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pons British  

/ pɒnz /

noun

1. a bridge of connecting tissue

2. short for pons Varolii

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pons Scientific  

/ pŏnz /

plural

pontes

1. A thick band of nerve fibers in the brainstem of humans and other mammals that links the brainstem to the cerebellum and upper portions of the brain. It is important in the reflex control of involuntary processes, including respiration and circulation. All neural information transmitted between the spinal cord and the brain passes through the pons.

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Etymology

Origin of pons

1685–95; < Latin pōns bridge ( punt ¹ )

Example Sentences

However, messages coming down from the pons actually inhibit activity in the medulla, leading breathing rates to slow down.

From Science Daily • Nov. 19, 2024

Han's team hypothesized that certain emotions or behaviors could lead cortical neurons to activate the pons, which would then lower activity in the medulla, resulting in slower breath.

From Science Daily • Nov. 19, 2024

Descending input from the cerebellum enters through the large white matter structure of the pons.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

Gray matter in the tegmentum region of the pons contains neurons receiving descending input from the forebrain that is sent to the cerebellum.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

Localised hæmorrhages also occur, although less frequently, in the crura cerebri, the pons, the floor of the fourth ventricle, and the cerebellum.

From Manual of Surgery Volume Second: Extremities—Head—Neck. Sixth Edition. by Miles, Alexander