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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, and the gag reflex. It emerges from the medulla oblongata, leaves the skull through the jugular foramen, and descends within the carotid sheath alongside the internal jugular vein and the carotid artery, giving off the recurrent laryngeal nerve and branches to the heart, lungs, and abdominal organs. Stimulation of the nerve is used to treat drug-resistant epilepsy and depression, and vagal tone shapes heart rate variability. Vagotomy was once used to treat peptic ulcers, and injury to the recurrent laryngeal branch during thyroid surgery causes hoarseness.

The tenth cranial nerve emerges from the medulla oblongata and exits the skull through the jugular foramen. It descends in the carotid sheath alongside the internal jugular vein and carotid artery. It gives off the recurrent laryngeal nerve and provides branches to the heart, lungs, and abdominal organs.

On this page
유형 Nerve
신체 계통 Nervous
신체 부위 Neck
상위 구조물 cranial nerve
라틴어 명칭 Nervus vagus
FMA ID 5731

기능

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 gag reflex.

임상적 의의

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 thyroid surgery causes hoarseness.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the vagus nerve control?

The vagus nerve (cranial nerve X) controls a wide range of autonomic functions including heart rate, digestion, respiratory rate, and reflex actions such as coughing and swallowing. It is the primary nerve of the parasympathetic nervous system and supplies motor and sensory fibers to the heart, lungs, and most abdominal organs.

Where does the vagus nerve travel?

The vagus nerve originates in the medulla oblongata of the brainstem and exits the skull through the jugular foramen. It descends through the neck alongside the carotid artery and jugular vein, passes through the thorax near the esophagus, and extends into the abdomen via the esophageal hiatus, reaching as far as the transverse colon.

What happens when the vagus nerve is damaged?

Vagus nerve damage can cause hoarseness or voice changes (due to recurrent laryngeal nerve injury), difficulty swallowing, abnormal heart rate, gastroparesis (delayed gastric emptying), and altered blood pressure regulation. Bilateral damage is particularly serious and can affect breathing and cardiac function significantly.

References

  1. Foundational Model of Anatomy — FMA:5731 Reference anatomy ontology (University of Washington)
  2. UBERON — UBERON:0001759 Cross-species anatomy ontology (EMBL-EBI Ontology Lookup Service)
  3. Wikipedia — Vagus nerve Encyclopedia article (verified cross-reference)

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Educational Disclaimer

This content is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for medical decisions.

Data sources: Terminologia Anatomica, Foundational Model of Anatomy, Wikidata.