Vagus Nerve

Question 1

Stimuli that arouse digestion are relayed to the ___. The hypothalamus in the brain initiates nerve impulses in the __ __ __. These impulses innervate nerve networks of the GI tract, which promote contraction of smooth muscle (which causes peristalsis) and secretion of gastric juice.

Answer 1

hypothalamus; parasympathetic vagus nerve

Question 2

Stimuli that repress digestion (emotions of fear or anxiety) innervate sympathetic fibers that suppress __ __ & __.

Answer 2

muscle contraction & secretion

Question 3

The biggest nerve in the body with many branches running from the brainstem all the way to your gut. It is part of the parasympathetic nervous system.

Answer 3

Vagus Nerve

Question 4

The vagus nerve connects the gut-brain or second brain to the central brain in the head, creating that __ __ __.

Answer 4

Gut-brain axis

Question 5

Vagus nerve is responsible for:

Answer 5

• hunger & elimination
• pancreatic enzyme release
• gallbladder function
• intestinal blood flow
• proper immune system response
• proper excretion of acid in the stomach

Question 6

The __ __ __ (controls the GI function) is located in the sheaths of tissue that surround the lining of the organs of the digestive system

Answer 6

enteric nervous system

Question 7

The organs of the digestive system include

Answer 7

esophagus, stomach, SI & colon

Question 8

The ___ explains the bidirectional neural pathways between the emotional and cognitive centers of the brain (central nervous system) and this enteric nervous nervous system (tissue surrounding the GI tract).

Answer 8

gut-brain axis

Question 9

Because there is a constant stream of electrical & chemical messages moving between the central and enteric nervous systems, physiological disturbances in the gut can often be seen in __, __ __, and __.

Answer 9

mood, pain perception, and behavior

Question 10

The chemical messengers include…

Answer 10

hormones, neurotransmitters & cytokines (signaling protein molecules)