[2] It projects to the ipsilateral abducens (cranial nerve VI) nucleus, and contralateral oculomotor (cranial nerve III) nucleus[note 1] to mediate conjugate horizontal gaze and saccades.

[4] The PPRF (and adjacent regions of the pons) are traversed by fibers projecting to the abducens nucleus that mediate smooth pursuit, vestibular reflexes, and gaze holding.

[2] The PPRF generates excitatory bursts that are delivered to the ipsilateral abduecens nucleus to drive ipsilateral saccades (inhibitory saccadic stimuli are meanwhile delivered to the abducens nucleus from the contralateral medulla oblongata).

More extensive lesions will also affect inhibition of antagonists, abolishing ipsilateral saccades.

Like other small arteries of the brain, these vessels are vulnerable to microemboli, especially those generated due to turbulence or low-flow states in those with artificial heart valves or arrhythmias, respectively.