Central Nervous System Brain Stem
Contains the cerebral aqueduct or aqueduct of Sylvius. Location of periaqueductal gray, which, when stimulated, may abolish pain. Cranial nerve nuclei III (oculomotor) and IV (trochlear) located here
Cardiac acceleration and vasocontriction centers - pneumotaxic center helps control respiration pattern and rate. - Four cranial nerves originate from the pons: V (trigeminal), VI (abducens), VII (facial), and VIII (acoustic)
Cardiac-slowing center - Respiratory center - Cranial nerves IX (glossopharyngeal), X (vagus), XII (spinal accessory), and XII (hypoglossal) and portions of VII (facial) and VIII (acoustic) emerge from the medulla