Vagus nerve

Nervus vagus

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.

Тип Nerve
Система органов Nervous
Область тела Neck
Родительская структура cranial nerve
Латинское название Nervus vagus
FMA ID 5731

Функция

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.

Клиническое значение

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.

Подструктуры

ramus auricularis of the vagus nerve Nerve

Часто задаваемые вопросы

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.

Связанные структуры

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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.