This is a right anterior medial view of the pons and overlying basilar artery. The trigeminal nerve leaves the superolateral aspect of the pons. while the abducens nerve emerges from the anterior aspect of the pons and courses superiorly along the clivus to enter dura at Dorello's canal. The facial nerve arises from the pons posterolateral to abducens and courses laterally at the cerebellopontine angle. The larger vestibulocochlear nerve also arises from the pons just posterior to the facial nerve and courses in company with it to the internal auditory meatus. The vagus and cranial root of the spinal accessory nerve can be observed arising from the medulla and coursing toward the jugular foramen. (Image courtesy of AL Rhoton, Jr.)