CN X Part 1 Flashcards
What kind of info is carried by CN X?
motor, parasym and sensory (including taste)
Where does the vagus carry taste from?
epiglottal region
T/F: CN X is the largest CN.
False; it is the longest CN
T/F: The vagus is the most important sympathetic CN.
False; it is the most important parasym nerve
Where are the cell bodies of motor fibers carried in CN X?
nucleus ambiguus
What kind of motor fibers are carried by CN X
branchial motor fibers
Which hemisphere does the nucleus ambiguus receive info from?
both
Where are the preganglionic parasym fibers of CN X from?
posterior (dorsal) nucleus of the vagus
T/F: CN X receives info indirectly from the hypothalamus and the carotid sinus.
True
Where does incoming somatic sensory info of the Vagus nerve terminate?
in the spinal nucleus of CN V
Taste and viscerosensory info (mostly from the gut) terminates in which nucleus?
nucleus of the solitary tract (or nucleus solitarius)
What are the two peripheral ganglia associated with CN X?
superior and inferior ganglia
T/F: The superior and inferior ganglia of the vagus nerve are shared by CN IX.
False; these are different ganglia
What is another name for the superior ganglion of CN X?
jugular ganglion
What is another name for the inferior ganglion of CN X?
nodose ganglion
Where are the cell bodies of the neurons which carry somatic sensory info associated with CN X/
superior ganglion
Somatic Sensory info is carried by the Vagus nerve from the dura (infratentorial/posterior fossa), auricle, external auditory canal, lateral tympanic membrane and what other area(s)?
mucosa of the oropharynx and laryngopharynx
Where is somatic sensory info carried to by CN X?
spinal nucleus of CN V
Where is taste info (from epiglottis) carried to by CN X?
superior part of the nucleus for the solitary tract
Where are the neurons that carry taste info from the epiglottis?
inferior ganglion
Where is visceral sensory info carried to?
inferior part of the nucleus for the solitary tract
Where are the neurons that carry visceral sensory info?
inferior ganglion (just like taste from epiglottis)
What kind of info does the Vagus nerve carry from the larynx and laryngopharynx?
visceral sensory
What kind of info does the Vagus nerve carry from the viscera in the thoracic and abdominal cavities?
visceral sensory
What kind of info does the Vagus nerve carry from the pressure receptors in the aortic arch?
visceral sensory
What kind of receptors are in the para-aortic body which the Vagus carries visceral sensory info from?
chemoreceptors
What is the apparent origin of the Vagus nerve?
a series of rootlets from the lateral aspect of the MO
How many branches are given off of the trunk formed by CN X before it exits the skull?
one
Where does the Vagus nerve exit the skull?
jugular foramen
What branch is given off of the Vagus nerve before it exits the skull?
meningeal branch
What dura is supplied by the meningeal branch of the Vagus?
posterior cranial fossa dura
What structure compartmentalizes the jugular foramen? Is the Vagus anterior or posterior to the septum?
a fibrous septum; anterior
What nerve travels along with the Vagus nerve anterior to the fibrous septum in the jugular foramen?
accessory nerve (CN XI)
What nerve travels posterior to the fibrous septum/sheath in the jugular foramen?
Glossopharyngeal (CN IX)
What other sheath is shared between CN X and CN XI?
meningeal sheath between arachnoid and dura
Where is the superior ganglion (of CN X) located?
jugular foramen
Which is larger, the superior or the inferior ganglion (of CN X)?
inferior is larger
Where is the inferior ganglion located?
just inferior to the jugular foramen
What branch is given off at the superior ganglion?
auricular branch
What two structures mentioned in class does the auricular branch traverse on its way to the external auditory meatus?
mastoid canaliculus and tympanomastoid fissure**
Where does the auricular branch carry info from? What kind of info is it?
Carries sensory info from the meatus and a small portion of the auricle
Upon exiting the jugular foramen, what structure does the Vagus travel in?
carotid sheath
What two vessels immediately “sandwich” the Vagus nerve in the carotid sheath?
Internal carotid artery and internal jugular vein (Internal Carotid branches off of the common carotid along with the external carotid so then the vagus will be between internal jugular and common carotid)
Where does the common carotid artery split into the internal and external carotid arteries?
at the carotid bifurcation (in carotid sheath)
What branches are given off of the Vagus in the neck?
pharyngeal branch, branches to the carotid, superior laryngeal nerve, recurrent laryngeal nerve, and superior and inferior cervical cardiac branches (Please Call Some Really Cool Cats)
Where is the pharyngeal branch given off?
at the level of the inferior ganglion
What other fibers will combine with the pharyngeal branch?
some fibers from CN IX and sympathetic fibers from the sympathetic trunk
What fibers make up the pharyngeal plexus?
fibers from the pharyngeal branch of the vagus, fibers from CN IX, and fibers from the sym trunk)
What does CN X supply motor fibers to?
pharyngeal constrictors and the levator vel palatine muscle of the soft palate
Where are the branches to the carotid given off of the Vagus?
inferior ganglion
