vagus nerve (CN X)

Introduction

Somatic & visceral motor; somatic & visceral sensory.

Afferents

Nucleus solitarius

• located in the posterior mid-medulla lateral to the dorsal motor nucleus
• visceral sensory
• CN 10 fibers synapsing in the nucleus solitarius innervate:
  • epiglottis - taste
  • pharynx
  • larynx
  • trachea
  • esophagus
  • thoracic & abdominal viscera
• nucleus solitarius is shared by CN 7, CN 9, CN 10

Spinal nucleus of CN 5

• the sensory nucleus of CN 5 actually obtains sensory input from CN 7, CN 9, & CN 10, but because of the dominant input from CN 5, retains it name
• CN 10 fibers synapsing in the spinal nucleus of CN 5 innervate:
  • external ear
  • dura mater

Efferents

Dorsal motor nucleus

• located in posterior mid-medulla medial to the nucleus solitarius
• fibers originating in the dorsal motor nucleus innervate:
  • thoracic viscera
  • abdominal viscera

Nucleus ambiguous

• located in the mid-medulla anterior to the nucleus solitarius
• CN 10 fibers originating in the nucleus ambiguous innervate:
  • pharynx - swallowing
  • larynx
  • levator veli palatini
• the nucleus ambiguous is shared by CN 9 & CN 10

Course

• exits from the cranium through the jugular foramen

More general terms

• cranial nerve

Additional terms

• dorsal motor nucleus of vagus
• jugular foramen
• nucleus ambiguous
• nucleus solitarius
• spinal (caudal) trigeminal nucleus
• vagal
• vagotomy
• vagus nerve stimulation (SenTiva)

Components

• thoracic cardiac branch of vagus nerve