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  • pons
    pons
    noun
    a band of nerve fibers in the brain connecting the lobes of the midbrain, medulla, and cerebrum.
  • Pons
    Pons
    noun
    Lily 1904–76, U.S. operatic soprano, born in France.

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.

Pons 2 American  
[ponz, pawns] / pɒnz, pɔ̃s /

noun

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

pons British  
/ pɒnz /

noun

  1. a bridge of connecting tissue

  2. short for pons Varolii

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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.

Etymology

Origin of pons

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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

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

The most significant connection between the cerebellum and the rest of the brain is at the pons, because the pons and cerebellum develop out of the same vesicle.

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

The bridge is the ancient pons Aelius of which the parapet is modern, and the statues of SS.

From Rome by Malleson, Hope

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.