<P> During embryonic development, the metencephalon develops from the rhombencephalon and gives rise to two structures: the pons and the cerebellum . The alar plate produces sensory neuroblasts, which will give rise to the solitary nucleus and its special visceral afferent (SVA) column; the cochlear and vestibular nuclei, which form the special somatic afferent (SSA) fibers of the vestibulocochlear nerve, the spinal and principal trigeminal nerve nuclei, which form the general somatic afferent column (GSA) of the trigeminal nerve, and the pontine nuclei which relays to the cerebellum . </P> <P> Basal plate neuroblasts give rise to the abducens nucleus, which forms the general somatic efferent fibers (GSE); the facial and motor trigeminal nuclei, which form the special visceral efferent (SVE) column, and the superior salivatory nucleus, which forms the general visceral efferent fibers of the facial nerve . </P> <P> A number of cranial nerve nuclei are present in the pons: </P> <Ul> <Li> mid-pons: the' chief' or' pontine' nucleus of the trigeminal nerve sensory nucleus (V) </Li> <Li> mid-pons: the motor nucleus for the trigeminal nerve (V) </Li> <Li> lower down in the pons: abducens nucleus (VI) </Li> <Li> lower down in the pons: facial nerve nucleus (VII) </Li> <Li> lower down in the pons: vestibulocochlear nuclei (vestibular nuclei and cochlear nuclei) (VIII) </Li> </Ul>

What are some functional centers in the pons