Bassett Collection of Stereoscopic Images of Human Anatomy

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Serial transverse sections of the brain stem

Pons.

Image #30-3

KEYWORDS: Brain, Cerebellum, Peripheral nervous system, Pons.

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Serial transverse sections of the brain stem

Pons.

A section 4 mm. thick has been removed. Within the tegmentum of the pons the abducens nucleus (17) and fibers of the abducens nerve (21) are visible. The peripheral part of the nerve, which leaves the brain stem just behind the pons, is not shown on this specimen. The nucleus of the facial nerve (17, lower pointer) is still present in this section and fibers of the nerve (18) lie just above the nucleus as they pass from the internal genu (16) toward their exit point. Transverse fibers of the trapezoid body (9) are visible as they pass through the medial lemniscus. The superior olive and beginnings of the lateral lemniscus lie lateral to this area. These structures are part of the central auditory pathway.

1 .	Lingual gyrus
2 .	Vermis
3 .	Fastigial nucleus
4 .	Brachium conjunctivum (superior cerebellar peduncle)
5 .	Restiform body (inferior cerebellar peduncle)
6 .	Vestibulocerebellar fibers (juxtarestiform body)
7 .	Medial longitudinal fasciculus
8 .	Spinal trigeminal tract and nucleus
9 .	Trapezoid body
10 .	Deep pontine fibers
11 .	Longitudinal fasciculus (pontine pyramid)
12 .	Superficial pontine fibers
13 .	Globose nucleus
14 .	Dentate nucleus
15 .	Fourth ventricle
16 .	Facial colliculus and genu (internal) roots of facial nerve
17 .	Nucleus of abducens nerve and nucleus of facial nerve (lower pointer)
18 .	Second part of roots of facial nerve (VII)
19 .	Superior olivary nucleus (the lateral lemniscus is forming lateral to this nucleus)
20 .	Central tegmental tract
21 .	Root abducens nerve
22 .	Trigeminal nerve (V)
23 .	Oculomotor nerve (III)
24 .	Uncus (hippocampal gyrus)