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

The pons is the main connection between the cerebellum and the brain stem.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

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

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

This proposition has long been called the pons asinorum, or bridge of asses, but no one knows where or when the name arose.

From The Teaching of Geometry by Smith, David Eugene