CN X: Vagus Nerve

Question 1

What nucleus receives sensory nerves from the skin of the outer ear?

Answer 1

Spinal trigeminal nucleus

Superior ganglion of X

Question 2

What recieves sensory nerves from the taste buds in the epiglottis and esophagus?

Answer 2

Nucleus of solitary tract

Inferior ganglion of X

Question 3

What nucleus recieves sensory nerves from thoracic and abdominal viscera, larynx and pharynx, and parts of aorta?

Answer 3

Nucleus of solitary tract

Inferior ganglion of X

Question 4

What nucleus sends efferent nerves to the thoracic and abdominal smooth muscle and glands?

Answer 4

Dorsal motor nucleus and Nucleus ambiguus

Question 5

What nucleus sends efferent nerves to the larynx and pharynx?

Answer 5

Nucleus ambiguus

Question 6

Where are the nuclei for CN X found?

Answer 6

Rostral medulla

Question 7

T/F: The vagus nerve is the largest cranial nerve in the body.

Answer 7

TRUE

Question 8

What is special about the afferents of X?

Answer 8

Many anastomoses

Question 9

What is the main function of the different X efferents?

Answer 9

Nucleus ambiguus (medial): hear and lungs

Nucleus ambiguus (lateral): speech and swallowing

Dorsal motor nucleus: all visceral up to transverse colon

Question 10

What cranial nerves are associated with the tongue thrust reflex?

Answer 10

If you tough the pharynx area (V or IX) then the tongue can stick out (XII)

Question 11

Describe the gag reflex.

Answer 11

Touch one side of pharynx (IX) and should elicit a bilateral response of CN X