Final answer:
The function of the pontine reticular formation (PPRF) is to yoke the eye muscles during conjugate gaze and it connects all the cranial nerve nuclei for extraocular muscles (III, IV, VI).
Step-by-step explanation:
The function of the pontine reticular formation (PPRF) is to yoke the eye muscles during conjugate gaze. It also connects all the cranial nerve nuclei for extraocular muscles (III, IV, VI).
Coordinated movement of both eyes through different nuclei requires integrated processing through the brain stem. In the midbrain, the superior colliculus integrates visual stimuli with motor responses to initiate eye movements. The PPRF will initiate a rapid eye movement, or saccade, to bring the eyes to bear on a visual stimulus quickly. These areas are connected to the oculomotor, trochlear, and abducens nuclei by the medial longitudinal fasciculus (MLF) that runs through the brain stem. The MLF allows for conjugate gaze, or the movement of the eyes in the same direction, during horizontal movements that require the lateral and medial rectus muscles.
Based on this information, the correct answer is B) Pons.