Pons - Cranial Nerve Nuclei

Cranial Nerve Nuclei

A number of cranial nerve nuclei are present in the pons:

• mid-pons: the 'chief' or 'pontine' nucleus of the trigeminal nerve sensory nucleus (V)
• mid-pons: the motor nucleus for the trigeminal nerve (V)
• lower down in the pons: abducens nucleus (VI)
• lower down in the pons: facial nerve nucleus (VII)
• lower down in the pons: vestibulocochlear nuclei (vestibular nuclei and cochlear nuclei) (VIII)

The functions of these four nerves include sensory roles in hearing, equilibrium, and taste, and in facial sensations such as touch and pain, as well as motor roles in eye movement, facial expressions, chewing, swallowing, urination, and the secretion of saliva and tears.