CN10 Vagus nerve

Question 1

What is cranial nerve 10?

Answer 1

Vagus nerve

Question 2

What is the route of the CN10 vagus nerve, from its origin to its innervation?

Answer 2

Passes through jugular foramen
descends down neck in carotid sheath
continues into thorax and abdomen

Question 3

What are the functions of the CN10 vagus nerve?

Answer 3

General sensory - lower pharynx, larynx

Motor - muscles of soft palate, pharynx, larynx

Autonomic parasympathetic - thoracic viscera, abdominal viscera

Question 4

What is an important branch of the vagus nerve?

Answer 4

Recurrent laryngeal nerve

Question 5

Where do the recurrent laryngeal nerves travel?

Answer 5

Right recurrent larryngeal nerve - turns under right subclavian artery

Left recurrent laryngeal nerve - turns under aortic arch

Question 6

How are the functions of the vagus nerve tested?

Answer 6

Motor - patient saying “ahhh”, look at position of uvula

gag reflex

Question 7

What should the position of the uvula be when saying “ahhh” with normal vagus nerve function?

Answer 7

In the midline

Question 8

What is the position of the uvula when saying “ahhh” with a damaged vagus nerve?

Answer 8

Deviates to side where vagus nerve is functioning normally
because the soft palate muscles on that side contract
pull uvula to that side

Question 9

What is the function of the recurrent laryngeal nerve?

Answer 9

Motor - muscles of larynx

Question 10

How is the function of the recurrent laryngeal nerve tested?

Answer 10

Listening to voice

Question 11

What are the signs and symptoms of damage to the recurrent laryngeal nerve?

Answer 11

Hoarse voice