Wandering; -- applied especially to the pneumogastric nerve.
The vagus, or pneumogastric, nerve.
Large and important nerve. The vagus helps to control digestion by controlling the release of digestive juices. The vagus can be damaged during surgery to the digestive system eg gastrectomy (removal of the stomach). See Digestive system, Gastrectomy.
a mixed nerve that supplies the pharynx and larynx and lungs and heart and esophagus and stomach and most of the abdominal viscera
Latin = wandering; hence, cranial nerve X, which leaves the head and neck to traverse the thorax and upper part of the abdomen.
(L. vagare, to wander). The vagus nerve is a "wanderer" because this parasympathetic nerve supplies structures in the head, neck, thorax, and abdomen. Pertaining to its wide distribution to many organs.
(Latin = wandering) cranial nerve X (CN X) a mixed nerve that leaves the head and neck to innervate gastrointestinal tract (pharynx, esophagus, stomach) respiratory tract (larynx, lungs), cardiac (heart) and abdominal viscera. This mixed nerve has sensory, motor and autonomic functions of viscera (glands, digestion, heart rate).
The vagus is the tenth cranial nerve. The vagus nerve serves the esophagus, larynx, stomach, intestines, lungs, and heart.
The pneumogastric or 10th cranial nerve. It is a mixed nerve, having motor and sensory functions and a wider distribution than any of the other cranial nerves.
