Vagus Nerve X

Question 1

What is the function of the vagus nerve?

Answer 1

Motor-Innervation to most f the muscles of the pharynx and the larynx

Sensory- innervation to the skin of the external acoustic meatus and some of the surfaces of the laryngop[harynx and superior larynx.
-Provides visceral sensory information from the trachea, lungs, heart oesophagus and most of the abdominal organs

Parasympathetic- innervating the lungs and most of the GIT and helps control heart rate

Question 2

Describe the anatomical course for the nerve?

Answer 2

Longest CN- runs from brainstem to the colon

Arises -from the MEDULLA OBLONGATA of the brainstem

Exits cranium - via JUGULAR FORAMEN

Question 3

What are the 3 branches of the Vagus nerve in the neck?

Answer 3

Pharyngeal branches- innervates most of the muscles of the pharynx and the soft palate

Superior Laryngeal nerve- innervates the CRICOTHYROID muscle of the larynx and sensation to the laryngopharynx and superior larynx

Recurrent laryngeal nerve- on the right side only it hooks around the right subclavian artery and innervates most of the muscles in the Larynx

Question 4

How do you test the Vagus nerve?

Answer 4

Ask patient to open mouth wide and say ahhh. This allows us to test the nerve as it provides MOTOR INNERVATION TO THE LEVATOR VELI PALATINI. If both vagus nerves are intact then the small palate and thus the uvula will rise symmetrically

Question 5

What happens if the right vagus nerve is damaged?

Answer 5

the right palate will not raise but the left one will so the uvula will deviate to the left (away for the side with the lesion)