II. Anatomy: Cranial Nerves 9-11

  1. entCranialNerve9to11GrayBB791.gif Lewis (1918) Gray's Anatomy 20th ed (in public domain at Yahoo or BartleBy)
  2. entCranialNerve9to11GrayBB793.gif Lewis (1918) Gray's Anatomy 20th ed (in public domain at Yahoo or BartleBy)
  3. entCranialNerve9to11GrayBB794.gif Lewis (1918) Gray's Anatomy 20th ed (in public domain at Yahoo or BartleBy)

III. Physiology

  1. Most extensive innervation of any Cranial Nerve
  2. Neck, thorax, Abdomen innervation
    1. Motor, sensory and autonomic

IV. Anatomy: Nucleii in Medulla

  1. Somatic Motor Nucleii
    1. Nucleus Ambiguous transmits signals to pharynx for Swallowing, as well as Larynx
    2. Also innervates Levator Veli Palatini (raises the Soft Palate)
  2. Visceral Motor Nucleii
    1. Dorsal Motor Nucleus CN10 innervates thoracic and abdominal viscera (via peripheral Ganglion)
  3. Visceral Sensory Nucleii
    1. Nucleus Solitarius transmits taste signals from epiglottis
    2. Also transmits signals from pharynx, Larynx, trachea, Esophagus as well as thoracic and abdominal viscera
  4. Somatic Sensory Nucleii
    1. Spinal Nucleus of CN 5 transmits signals from External Ear and dura

V. Anatomy: Course

  1. neuroVagusCN10.png
  2. Jugular Fossa Branches
    1. Pharyngeal Nerve
    2. Superior Laryngeal Nerve
    3. Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve
    4. Superior Cardiac Nerve
  3. Thoracic Branches
    1. Inferior Cardiac Nerve
    2. Anterior Bronchial Nerve
    3. Posterior Bronchial Nerve
    4. Esophageal Nerve
  4. Abdominal Branches
    1. Gastric Nerve
    2. Celiac Nerve
    3. Hepatic Nerve

VI. Exam

  1. Pharynx
    1. Normal: Uvula rises to phonation (Patient says "Ah")
    2. Paralysis: Uvula deviates toward the strong side
  2. Larynx
    1. Laryngeal contours rise with Swallowing
    2. Vocal Cord Paralysis
      1. Unilateral: Hoarseness
      2. Bilateral: Dyspnea or Inspiratory Stridor
    3. Indirect Laryngoscopy if indicated

VII. References

  1. Gilman (1989) Manter and Gatz Essentials of Neuroanatomy and Neurophysiology, Davis, p. 87-113
  2. Goldberg (2014) Clinical Neuroanatomy, p. 24-39
  3. Netter (1997) Atlas Human Anatomy, ICON Learning, p. 110-129

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Related Studies

Ontology: Vagus nerve structure (C0042276)

Definition (NCI_CDISC) The 10th cranial nerve. The vagus is a mixed nerve which contains somatic afferents (from skin in back of the ear and the external auditory meatus), visceral afferents (from the pharynx, larynx, thorax, and abdomen), parasympathetic efferents (to the thorax and abdomen), and efferents to striated muscle (of the larynx and pharynx). (MSH2001)
Definition (NCI) The tenth cranial nerve. It is the longest cranial nerve. It originates in the medulla and exits the cranium through the jugular foramen. It supplies various muscles, including muscles of the pharynx and soft palate.
Definition (MSH) The 10th cranial nerve. The vagus is a mixed nerve which contains somatic afferents (from skin in back of the ear and the external auditory meatus), visceral afferents (from the pharynx, larynx, thorax, and abdomen), parasympathetic efferents (to the thorax and abdomen), and efferents to striated muscle (of the larynx and pharynx).
Definition (CSP) tenth cranial nerve; a mixed nerve which contains somatic and visceral afferents, parasympathetic efferents, and efferents to striated muscle.
Concepts Body Part, Organ, or Organ Component (T023)
MSH D014630
SnomedCT 88882009
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French Dixième nerf crânien, Nerf crânien X, Nerf vague, Nerf pneumogastrique, Nerf crânien 10, Dixième paire crânienne
Swedish Vagusnerv
Czech nervus vagus, n. X, kraniální nerv X, desátý kraniální nerv, bloudivý nerv
Finnish Kiertäjähermo
Russian VAGUS, BLUZHDAIUSHCHII NERV, БЛУЖДАЮЩИЙ НЕРВ, ВАГУС
German ZEHNTER HIRNNERV, Hirnnerv X, Nervus vagus, Vagus, X. Hirnnerv
Italian Decimo nervo cranico, Nervo cranico X, Nervo pneumogastrico, Nervo vago
Croatian NERVUS VAGUS
Latvian Klejojošais nervs, Klejotājnervs
Polish Nerw X, Nerw błędny
Japanese 第10脳神経, 迷走神経, 肺胃神経
Norwegian Den vidvankende nerve, 10. hjernenerve, vidvankende nerve, Innvollsnerven, Nervus vagus, Hjernenerve 10
Spanish X Par Craneal, Nervio Craneal X, nervio vago, X par craneal, décimo nervio craneal, décimo par craneal, décimo par craneano, estructura del nervio vago (estructura corporal), estructura del nervio vago, nervio craneal X, nervio neumogástrico, nervio vago, SAI, Decimo Nervio Craneal, Nervio Vago, X Nervio Craneal, Nervio Neumogástrico
Portuguese X Nervo Craniano, X Par Craniano, Décimo Nervo Craniano, Nervo Craniano X, Nervo Pneumogástrico, Nervo Vago
Dutch Nervus vagus, Xe hersenzenuw