Vagus Nerve Flashcards
What are the sensory functions of the vagus nerve?
innervates the external auditory meatus, the inside surfaces of the laryngopharynx and larynx; provides visceral sensation to the heart and abdominal viscera (organs in the abdomen)
What is the abdominal viscera?
gallbladder, stomach, small and large intestine, pancreas, and liver
What is the special sensory function of the vagus nerve?
provides taste sensation to the root of the tongue and epiglottis
What is the motor function of the vagus nerve?
provides motor innervation to most of the muscles of the pharynx, soft palate, and larynx
What is the parasympathetic function of the vagus nerve?
innervates the smooth muscles of the GI tract, trachea, and bronchi; regulates heart rhythm
Where is the vagus nerve located?
it originates in the medulla of the brainstem and ends at the abdomen
What are signs and symptoms that the vagus nerve is damaged?
dysphonia, dysphagia, loss of gag reflex, aphonia, and stridor
Somatic refers to
skin and muscles
Visceral refers to
organs
The vagus nerve provides sensation to the laryngopharynx via _______
internal laryngeal nerve
The vagus nerve provide sensation to the superior aspect of the larynx (above the vocal folds) via
internal laryngeal nerve
The vagus nerve provides sensation to the heart via
cardiac branches of the vagus nerve
The vagus nerve provides sensation to the GI tract via
terminal branches of the vagus nerve
In the pharynx, the superior, middle, and inferior pharyngeal constrictor muscles; palatopharyngeus muscle, and salpingopharyngeus muscle, are innervated by ________
pharyngeal branches of the vagus nerve
The vagus nerve’s recurrent laryngeal nerve innervates which muscles of the larynx?
vocalis, thyroarytenoid, cricoarytenoid, posterior cricoarytenoid, lateral crico-arytenoid, transverse and oblique arytenoids
