CN X: Vagus Nerve
February 15th, 2021
On this page:Vagus Nerve PalsySomatic Motor PathwayVisceral Motor PathwaySomatic Sensory PathwayVisceral Sensory PathwaySpecial Sensory Pathway
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)
Primary motor cortex (precentral gyrus)
Nucleus Ambiguus
Medulla
Medulla
Foramen
Jugular foramen
Jugular foramen
Muscles
Pharyngeal & laryngeal muscles, palatoglossus
Pharyngeal & laryngeal muscles, palatoglossus
Visceral Motor Pathway
Dorsal Motor Nucleus
Medulla
Medulla
Foramen
Jugular foramen
Jugular foramen
Muscles
Pharynx, larynx, thoracic & abdominal viscera
Pharynx, larynx, thoracic & abdominal viscera
Somatic Sensory Pathway
Cortical Centre
Primary sensory cortex (postcentral gyrus)
Primary sensory cortex (postcentral gyrus)
Spinal Trigeminal Nucleus
Medulla
Medulla
Foramen
Jugular foramen
Jugular foramen
Superior Ganglion
Receptors
Back of ear, external auditory meatus, external tympanic membrane
Back of ear, external auditory meatus, external tympanic membrane
Visceral Sensory Pathway
Cardiovascular & Respiratory Centres
Reticular formation and hypothalamus
Reticular formation and hypothalamus
Solitary Nucleus
Medulla
Medulla
Foramen
Jugular foramen
Jugular foramen
Inferior Ganglion
Receptors
Larynx, oesophagus, trachea, thoracic and abdominal organs
Larynx, oesophagus, trachea, thoracic and abdominal organs
Special Sensory Pathway
Gustatory Cortex
Insula
Insula
Thalamus
Ventral posteromedial nucleus (VPN)
Ventral posteromedial nucleus (VPN)
Solitary Nucleus
Medulla
Medulla
Foramen
Jugular foramen
Jugular foramen
Inferior Ganglion
Taste Receptors
Epiglottis
Epiglottis
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