Aorta vs Vagus nerve
| Property | Aorta | Vagus nerve |
|---|---|---|
| Latin Name | Aorta | Nervus vagus |
| Type | Vessel | Nerve |
| Body System | Cardiovascular | Nervous |
| Body Region | Heart Region | Neck |
| Function | The largest artery in the body, carrying oxygenated blood from the left ventricle to distribute to all body tissues via its branches. Maintains blood pressure through elastic recoil of its … | The longest cranial nerve (CN X), providing parasympathetic innervation to most thoracic and abdominal viscera. Controls heart rate, peristalsis, sweating, speech, and various reflex actions including coughing, swallowing, and the … |
| Clinical Significance | Aortic aneurysm (dilation) can rupture, causing fatal hemorrhage. Aortic dissection is a life-threatening tear in the aortic wall. Atherosclerosis commonly affects the aorta. Coarctation of the aorta is a congenital … | Vagus nerve stimulation is used to treat drug-resistant epilepsy and depression. Vagal tone affects heart rate variability. Vagotomy was historically used to treat peptic ulcers. Recurrent laryngeal nerve injury during … |
| FMA ID | 3734 | 5731 |
Full structure pages
Aorta
Aorta
The largest artery in the body, the aorta carries oxygenated blood from the left ventricle and distributes it to all tissues through its branches. Elastic recoil of its walls, the Windkessel effect, helps maintain blood …
Vagus nerve
Nervus vagus
The longest cranial nerve, the vagus nerve (CN X) provides parasympathetic innervation to most of the thoracic and abdominal viscera, influencing heart rate, peristalsis, sweating, and speech, as well as reflexes such as coughing, swallowing, …