How would a stroke in the pons affect one's function?

The person is able to communicate on the computer. They said they once golfed, but can't now.

Hi,
I am a doctor..

The pons (sometimes pons Varolii after Costanzo Varolio) is a structure located on the brain stem. It is rostral to the medulla oblongata, caudal to the midbrain, and ventral to the cerebellum. In humans and other bipeds this means it is above the medulla, below the midbrain, and anterior to the cerebellum.

The pons relays sensory information between the cerebellum and cerebrum, aids in relaying other messages in the brain, controls arousal, and regulates respiration (see respiratory centres). In some theories, the pons has a role in dreaming.

The pons is part of the brainstem, the lowest part of the brain that connects to the top end of the spinal cord. It's an important and densely packed area containing many bundles of nerves carrying movement and sensory messages between the brain and the body. It also acts as a junction box for all the nerves employed in coordinating movement and balance within the head and neck, as well as the body as a whole.



Because there are so many important structures within the brainstem one small area of damage due to stroke can have wide-ranging consequences. The exact symptoms depend on which biological 鈥榚lectrical circuits鈥?and junctions lose their blood supply and that in turn depends on which of the small blood vessels in the area (branches of the vertebrobasilar circulation) becomes blocked.



The symptoms can include difficulties with balance (ataxia), dizziness due to vertigo, uncoordinated eye movements, problems with swallowing and articulating words, and numbness and/ or weakness in one half of the body. It is not uncommon for victims of this sort of stroke to feel sick as part of the loss of balance.

Recovery really depends on the extent and severity of the initial stroke. You need to discuss the outlook with the doctors who have investigated the patient..

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