Vagus nerve

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Anatomy

  • Cranial nerve X or simply CN X
  • It supplies motor parasympathetic fibers to all the organs (Except the adrenal glands), from the neck down to the second segment of the transverse colon.
  • It controls a few skeletal muscles, including: Cricothyroid muscle, Levator veli palatini muscle, Salpingopharyngeus muscle, Palatoglossus muscle, Palatopharyngeus muscle, Superior, middle and inferior pharyngeal constrictors, Muscles of the larynx (speech).

Function

  • Heart rate
  • Gastrointestinal peristalsis
  • Sweating
  • A few muscle movements in mouth including speech
  • It also has some afferent fibers that innervate the inner (canal) portion of the outer ear (via the auricular branch, also known as Arnold's or Alderman's nerve) and part of the meninges.
  • Efferent vagus nerve fibers innervating the pharynx and back of the throat are responsible for the gag reflex.
  • 5-HT3 receptor-mediated afferent vagus stimulation in the gut due to gastroenteritis is a cause of vomiting.
  • Stimulation of the vagus nerve in the cervix uteri can lead to a vasovagal response.
  • It plays a role in satiation following food consumption.
  • Knocking out vagal nerve receptors has been shown to cause hyperphagia (greatly increased food intake).


Related disease