A subarachnoid cistern, the pontine cistern is filled with cerebrospinal fluid found between the ventral pons and dura mater. It is contiguous with the subarachnoid space of the spinal cord, superior cistern, and cisterna magna posteriorly. Anterosuperiorly, it is continuous with the interpeduncular cistern. It contains the basilar artery and cranial nerves, V, VI, and VII.