Little is known about how the generation of specific neuronal types at ster
eotypic positions within the hindbrain is linked to Hox gene-mediated patte
rning. Here, we show that during neurogenesis, Hox paralog group 2 genes co
ntrol both anteroposterior (A-P) and dorsoventral (D-V) patterning. Hoxa2 a
nd Hoxb2 differentially regulate, in a rhombomere-specific manner, the expr
ession of several genes in broad D-V-restricted domains or narrower longitu
dinal columns of neuronal progenitors, immature neurons, and differentiatin
g neuronal subtypes. Moreover, Hoxa2 and Hoxb2 can functionally synergize i
n controlling the development of ventral neuronal subtypes in rhombomere 3
(r3). Thus, in addition to their roles in A-P patterning, Hoxa2 and Hoxb2 h
ave distinct and restricted functions along the D-V axis during neurogenesi
s, providing insights into how neuronal fates are assigned at stereotypic p
ositions within the hindbrain.