NETTER - Neuroscience Flash Cards

Vagus Nerve (CN X)
1. Auricular branch of CN X
2. Glossopharyngeal nerve
(CN IX)
3. Dorsal motor nucleus of
CN X
4. Nucleus solitarius
5. Spinal (descending) tract
and nucleus of CN V
6. Nucleus ambiguus
7. Vagus nerve (CN X)
8. Superior ganglion of CN X
9. Inferior ganglion of CN X
10. Pharyngeal branch of CN X
11. Vagal branch to carotid
sinus
12. Superior laryngeal nerve
13. Left recurrent laryngeal
nerve
14. Anterior vagal trunk
Comment: CN X has sensory, motor, and autonomic components.
Lower motor neurons from nucleus ambiguus travel with CN X
to supply muscles of the soft palate, pharynx, and larynx; they
control speaking and swallowing. A unilateral lesion of CN X results
in drooping of the soft palate, hoarseness and nasal speech,
dysphagia, and decreased gag reflex. Bilateral nerve damage results
in loss of speech and swallowing. Preganglionic neurons from the
dorsal motor nucleus of X distribute to intramural ganglia associated
with thoracic and abdominal viscera, including the heart, lungs, and
GI tract to the descending colon. Special sensory fibers from the
nodose (inferior) ganglion of X carry information from taste buds
in the posterior pharynx and send central branches to the rostral
nucleus solitarius. Primary sensory axons from the inferior ganglion
convey general sensation from the larynx, pharynx, and thoracic
and abdominal viscera and terminate mainly in the caudal nucleus
solitarius. Primary sensory axons from the jugular (superior) ganglion
of X convey general sensation from the external auditory meatus and
terminate in the spinal (descending) nucleus of V. A unilateral lesion
of CN X, in addition to producing the motor symptoms, may result in
ipsilateral laryngeal anesthesia and tachycardia or arrhythmias.
Regional Neuroscience See book 11.28