Schematic internal structure | Brain-inter-atlas

Among all ascending and descending tracts, only two undergo modifications when passing through the pons:

Medial lemniscus
from the lower to the upper part of the pons:

medially stretched (not shown)
↓
triangular
↓
transversely elongated
Anterior spinocerebellar tract
- Forms an acute angle backwards then comes down through the superior cerebellar peduncle

Several nuclei and fasciculi linked to the cranial nerves are located at the level of the pons

Trigeminal nerve (V)

Motor nucleus of V
- Axial section through the middle part of pons
- Posterior view of the brainstem
Principal sensory nucleus of V
Anterior and lateral to the motor nucleus; its axons cross the median line and join the median lemniscus
- Axial sections through the middle part of pons and through the decussation of auditory pathway
- Posterior view of the brainstem

Abducens nerve (VI)

Below the facial colliculus
Receives input from the medial longitudinal fasciculus

Axial section through the decussation of auditory pathway
Posterior view of the brainstem

Facial nerve (VII)

Motor nucleus
Superior and inferior parts
- Axial section through the decussation of auditory pathway
- Posterior view of the brainstem
Two parasympathetic nuclei
- Including the superior salivatory nucleus
- Axial section through the decussation of auditory pathway
- Posterior view of the brainstem
The intermediate nerve is part of the solitary tract
- Axial section through the decussation of auditory pathway
- Posterior view of the brainstem

Vestibulocochlear nerve (VIII)

Cochlear part

Anterior cochlear nucleus
- Croisement de la ligne médiane : forme le corps trapézoïde (C TRAP) puis → lemnisque latéral (LL)
- Fibres non croisées → lemnisque latéral (LL) homolatéral
- Axial section through the decussation of auditory pathway
- Posterior view of the brainstem
Posterior cochlear nucleus
- Croisement de la ligne médiale : forment les stries médullaires du 4e ventricule puis → lemnisque latéral (LL) hétérolatéral

Vestibular part

Superior vestibular nucleus
Inferior vestibular nucleus
Medial vestibular nucleus
Lateral vestibular nucleus

Axial section through the decussation of auditory pathway
Posterior view of the brainstem