Cranial Nerve X - Vagus
Anatomy
Below is an image showing the anatomy of Cranial Nerve X in relation to the other nerves.
The image is taken and modified from the Wiki Commons under the Creative Commons License.
Type
Mixed. Consists of both a sensory portion and a motor portion.
Origins & Insertions
|
Nerve |
Origin |
Insertion |
|
Sensory Portion |
Taste buds in the epiglottis and pharynx Proprioceptors in the neck and throat Strech- & Chemo- receptors in the carotid sinus and body Chemoreceptors in the aortic arch Sensory receptors in most organs of the thoracic & abdominal cavities |
Medulla & Pons |
|
Motor Portion |
Medulla |
Skeletal muscles of the throat and neck Smooth Muscle in: |
Foramen
The Jugular Foramen (as shown below)
Image taken and modified from Flickr under the Creative Commons License
Function
The Sensory Branch functions to;
- convey touch pain, heat and proprioception from epiglottis and pharynx
- monitor blood pressure
- monitor O2 and CO2 in blood for regulation of breathing rate and depth
- convey sensation from visceral organs of the thoracic and abdominal cavities
The Motor Branch functions to;
- allow for swallowing, coughing and speech
- slowing of heart rate
- modulate contraction and relaxation of smooth muscle in the GI tract
- secretion of digestive fluids