Anatomy

Cranial Nerve 10

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Cranial Nerve 10, Cranial Nerve X, Vagus Nerve, CN 10

  • See Also
  1. Cranial Nerve
  2. Neuroanatomy
  3. Head and Neck Anatomy
  1. entCranialNerve9to11GrayBB791.gif Lewis (1918) Gray's Anatomy 20th ed (in public domain at Yahoo or BartleBy)
  2. entCranialNerve9to11GrayBB793.gif Lewis (1918) Gray's Anatomy 20th ed (in public domain at Yahoo or BartleBy)
  3. entCranialNerve9to11GrayBB794.gif Lewis (1918) Gray's Anatomy 20th ed (in public domain at Yahoo or BartleBy)
  • Physiology
  1. Most extensive innervation of any Cranial Nerve
  2. Neck, thorax, Abdomen innervation
    1. Motor, sensory and autonomic
  1. Somatic Motor Nucleii
    1. Nucleus Ambiguous transmits signals to pharynx for Swallowing, as well as Larynx
    2. Also innervates Levator Veli Palatini (raises the Soft Palate)
  2. Visceral Motor Nucleii
    1. Dorsal Motor Nucleus CN10 innervates thoracic and abdominal viscera (via peripheral Ganglion)
  3. Visceral Sensory Nucleii
    1. Nucleus Solitarius transmits taste signals from epiglottis
    2. Also transmits signals from pharynx, Larynx, trachea, Esophagus as well as thoracic and abdominal viscera
  4. Somatic Sensory Nucleii
    1. Spinal Nucleus of CN 5 transmits signals from External Ear and dura
  • Anatomy
  • Course
  1. neuroVagusCN10.png
  2. Jugular Fossa Branches
    1. Pharyngeal Nerve
    2. Superior Laryngeal Nerve
    3. Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve
    4. Superior Cardiac Nerve
  3. Thoracic Branches
    1. Inferior Cardiac Nerve
    2. Anterior Bronchial Nerve
    3. Posterior Bronchial Nerve
    4. Esophageal Nerve
  4. Abdominal Branches
    1. Gastric Nerve
    2. Celiac Nerve
    3. Hepatic Nerve
  • Exam
  1. Pharynx
    1. Normal: Uvula rises to phonation (Patient says "Ah")
    2. Paralysis: Uvula deviates toward the strong side
  2. Larynx
    1. Laryngeal contours rise with Swallowing
    2. Vocal Cord Paralysis
      1. Unilateral: Hoarseness
      2. Bilateral: Dyspnea or Inspiratory Stridor
    3. Indirect Laryngoscopy if indicated
  • References
  1. Gilman (1989) Manter and Gatz Essentials of Neuroanatomy and Neurophysiology, Davis, p. 87-113
  2. Goldberg (2014) Clinical Neuroanatomy, p. 24-39
  3. Netter (1997) Atlas Human Anatomy, ICON Learning, p. 110-129