pontine cistern pontine cistern the pontine cistern, also cisterna pontis and cisterna pontocerebellaris is a notable subarachnoid cistern on the ventral aspect of the pons. pontine cisterndiagram showing the positions of the three principal subarachnoid cisternæ. (cisterna pontis labeled at left center.)scheme of roof of fourth ventricle. the arrow is in the foramen of majendie.1: inferior medullary velum2: choroid plexus 3: cerebellomedullary cistern of subarachnoid cavity4: central canal5: corpora quadrigemina6: cerebral peduncle7: superior medullary velum8: ependymal lining of ventricle9: pontine cistern of subarachnoid cavitydetailsidentifierslatincisterna pontis, cisterna pontocerebellaris.neuronames556anatomical terms of neuroanatomy it contains the basilar artery, and is continuous behind with the subarachnoid space of the spinal cord, and with the cisterna magna, and in front of the pons with the interpeduncular cistern.