pontine central gray (CGRpn)

The term pontine central gray refers to a relatively thin layer of cells in the dorsal pontine tegmentum. It forms the floor of the fourth ventricle. Major bounding structures are the medial longitudinal fasciculus of the pons ventrally, the locus ceruleus laterally, and the midline medially. Continuous with the periaqueductal gray rostrally and the central gray of the medulla caudally, it is found in the human ( Paxinos-2012 ), the macaque ( Martin-2000 ), the rat ( Paxinos-2009b ), and the mouse ( Franklin-2008 ). Five small nuclei are embedded in the pontine central gray. Authors differ with regard to the identities of certain of them. All identify four: the dorsal tegmental nucleus, Barrington's nucleus, supragenual nucleus and laterodorsal tegmental nucleus. The fifth for some authors is the lateral tegmental nucleus ( Swanson-2004 ). For others the fifth is the posterodorsal tegmental nucleus ( Paxinos-2012; Paxinos-2009a; Paxinos-2009b; Franklin-2008 ). The pontine central gray and most of the embedded nuclei are included in the functionally defined dorsal pontine gray of Swanson-2004.

Also known as: central gray of the pons, central gray substance of pons, central gray substance of the pons, Substantia grisea centralis, Griseum periventriculare, Griseum centrale pontis, central gray of pons, pontine central gray, central grey of the Pons

NeuroNames ID: 567

All Names & Sources

Showing 14 synonym(s)

Language
Name
Source
English
central gray of pons
English
central gray of the pons
English
central gray substance of pons
English
central gray substance of the pons
English
central grey of the Pons
English
pontine central gray
Species With The Structure
Equivalent By Human Macaque Rat Mouse
Topology Has The Structure Has The Structure Has The Structure Has The Structure

Showing 8 record(s)

Basis
Has Equivalent
Organism
Their Name
Source
Topology
Yes
central gray substance of pons
Topology
Yes
Substantia grisea centralis
Topology
Yes
central gray substance of the pons
Topology
Yes
Griseum periventriculare
Topology
Yes
Griseum centrale pontis
Topology
Yes
central gray of pons
Topology
Yes
pontine central gray
Topology
Yes
central gray of the pons
Models Where It Appears
Structural CNS Model - Macaque

Brain structures of the macaque are illustrated in BrainInfo’s NeuroMaps macaque brain atlas. Structures are grouped by proximity in a hierarchy corresponding to the central nervous system hierarchy of NeuroNames ( Bowden-1995 Martin-2000 ). Structures in the NeuroMaps atlas are based on the segmentation of an MRI of the brain of a 3-year old male rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta). The atlas is most useful for targeting structures for implantating electrodes and chemtrodes. Updated 29 Oct 2025.

Functional CNS Model - Rat

The Functional CNS Model - Rat (FMrat) ( Swanson-2004) is one of three hierarchical models representing the internal organization of the central nervous system (CNS). The others are the Structural CNS Model - Human (SThmn) and the Functional CNS Model - Human (FMhmn). The FMrat model represents the basic organization of the mouse ( Hof-2000 AMBA-2024 ) and, presumably, other rodents. Functional CNS models differ from structural models in that structures are defined and named by connectivity rather than by proximity to other structures at the same level. Functional models are more useful for representing longitudinal components of are grouped based on information drawn from multiple neuroscientific disciplines. such as connections, neurochemical characteristics, and role in physiogical and behavioral processes. While the Functional Model was developed primarily for an atlas of the rat brain ( Swanson-2004 ), the hierarchical organization of structures is for the most part applicable to the human, macaque, mouse and other mammalian brains as well. Structures at lower levels of the Functional CNS hierarchy are largely the same as in the Classical and Developmental Models, i.e., they were originally identified by stains for gray matter (Nissl substance) and white matter (myelin). At the next higher level they are grouped into basic connectional and functional systems of the CNS, such as the subcortical sensory systems, the brainstem motor system and the behavioral state system. At the highest levels CNS structures are grouped on the basis of dissection and embryologic precursors into cerebrum ( cerebral cortex and cerebral nuclei ), cerebellum, and cerebrospinal trunk.