Cranial Nerves
 
 

CN X: Vagus Nerve

 
 
 
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On this page:Vagus Nerve PalsySomatic Motor PathwayVisceral Motor PathwaySomatic Sensory PathwayVisceral Sensory PathwaySpecial Sensory Pathway
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Overview

    • Roles

    • Somatic motor - pharyngeal & laryngeal muscles, palatoglossus
    • Visceral motor (parasympathetic) - pharynx, larynx, thoracic and abdominal viscera
    • Somatic sensory - back of ear, external auditory meatus, external tympanic membrane
    • Visceral sensory -larynx, oesophagus, trachea, thoracic and abdominal viscera, aortic arch stretch receptors, aortic body chemoreceptors
    • Special sensory (taste) - epiglottis

Vagus Nerve Palsy

    • Abnormalities

    • Dysphagia
    • Palate droop
    • Diversion of uvula to one side
    • Hoarseness
    • Loss of gag reflex

    • Causes of Vagus Nerve Palsy

    • Peripheral nerve trauma
    • Peripheral nerve ischaemia
    • Base of skull fractureInvolving the jugular foramen
    • Motor neurone disease

Somatic Motor Pathway

  • Cortical Centre
    Primary motor cortex (precentral gyrus)
     
     
    Nucleus Ambiguus
    Medulla
     
    Foramen
    Jugular foramen
     
     
    Muscles
    Pharyngeal & laryngeal muscles, palatoglossus

Visceral Motor Pathway

  • Dorsal Motor Nucleus
    Medulla
     
    Foramen
    Jugular foramen
     
     
    Muscles
    Pharynx, larynx, thoracic & abdominal viscera

Somatic Sensory Pathway

  • Cortical Centre
    Primary sensory cortex (postcentral gyrus)
     
     
    Spinal Trigeminal Nucleus
    Medulla
     
     
    Foramen
    Jugular foramen
     
    Superior Ganglion
     
     
    Receptors
    Back of ear, external auditory meatus, external tympanic membrane

Visceral Sensory Pathway

  • Cardiovascular & Respiratory Centres
    Reticular formation and hypothalamus
     
     
    Solitary Nucleus
    Medulla
     
     
    Foramen
    Jugular foramen
     
    Inferior Ganglion
     
     
     
    Receptors
    Larynx, oesophagus, trachea, thoracic and abdominal organs

Special Sensory Pathway

  • Gustatory Cortex
    Insula
     
     
    Thalamus
    Ventral posteromedial nucleus (VPN)
     
     
    Solitary Nucleus
    Medulla
     
     
    Foramen
    Jugular foramen
     
    Inferior Ganglion
     
     
    Taste Receptors
    Epiglottis
 
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