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Vagus nerve [X]
Other Terms:
Tenth cranial nerve,
Vagus,
Vagus nerve tree,
Vagus nerve [X],
Nervus vagus,
Nerve X,
Nervus vagus [X]
Description
The tenth cranial or vagus nerve is the longest cranial nerve. It commences within the cranium. It then extends through the neck and chest and terminates in the upper part of the abdomen. It arises deeply from the floor of the fourth ventricle and superficially from the side of the medulla oblongata by ten or fifteen filaments. These filaments emerge from the medulla oblongata through the groove between the lateral column and the restiform body and below the glossopharyngeal nerve. The vagus nerve contains both motor and sensory fibers. It supplies the dura mater, the external ear, the pharynx, the larynx, the esophagus, the trachea, the lungs, the heart, and some abdominal viscera.
Travels through
Jugular foramen
Region Innervated
Neck, Pharynx/larynx, Thorax, abdomen
Travels through
Jugular foramen
Function
To muscles of palate and pharynx for swallowing except tensor palati (V) and stylopharyngeus (IX) To all muscles of larynx (phonates) Senses larynx and laryngopharynx.
Type
Mixed
Latin
Nervus vagus
Latin
Nerve X
Latin
Nervus vagus [X]
