Editing Vagus nerve (section)

== Structure ==
Upon leaving the [[medulla oblongata]] between the [[Olivary body|olive]] and the [[inferior cerebellar peduncle]], the vagus nerve extends through the [[jugular foramen]], then passes into the [[carotid sheath]] between the [[internal carotid artery]] and the [[internal jugular vein]] down to the [[neck]], [[chest]], and [[abdomen]], where it contributes to the innervation of the [[viscera]], reaching all the way to the [[Large intestine|colon]]. Besides giving some output to various organs, the vagus nerve comprises between 80% and 90% of [[afferent nerve fiber]]s conveying [[sense|sensory]] information about the state of the body's organs to the [[central nervous system]].<ref>{{cite journal|vauthors=Berthoud HR, Neuhuber WL|title=Functional and chemical anatomy of the afferent vagal system|journal=Autonomic Neuroscience|volume=85|issue=1–3|pages=1–17|date=December 2000|pmid=11189015|doi=10.1016/S1566-0702(00)00215-0|s2cid=30221339}}</ref>

The right and left vagus nerves descend from the cranial vault through the jugular foramina,<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Freitas|first1=Carlos Alberto Ferreira de|last2=Santos|first2=Luiz Roberto Medina Dos|last3=Santos|first3=Andreza Negreli|last4=Amaral Neto|first4=Augusto Barreto do|last5=Brandão|first5=Lenine Garcia|date=2020|title=Anatomical study of jugular foramen in the neck|journal=Brazilian Journal of Otorhinolaryngology|volume=86|issue=1|pages=44–48|doi=10.1016/j.bjorl.2018.09.004|issn=1808-8686|pmc=9422587|pmid=30348503}}</ref> penetrating the carotid sheath between the internal and external carotid arteries, then passing posterolateral to the common carotid artery. The cell bodies of [[General visceral afferent fibers|visceral afferent]] fibers of the vagus nerve are located bilaterally in the [[Inferior ganglion of vagus nerve|inferior ganglion of the vagus nerve]] (nodose ganglia).The vagus runs parallel to the common carotid artery and internal jugular vein inside the carotid sheath.  

[[File:Slide6rom.JPG|thumb|Vagus nerve]]

[[File:Slide1EBA.JPG|thumb|Vagus nerve]]

'''Right Vagus Nerve:''' The right vagus nerve gives rise to the right [[recurrent laryngeal nerve]], which hooks around the right [[subclavian artery]] and ascends into the neck between the [[trachea]] and [[esophagus]]. The right vagus then crosses anterior to the right subclavian artery, runs posterior to the [[superior vena cava]], descends posterior to the [[right main bronchus]], and contributes to [[cardiac plexus|cardiac]], [[pulmonary plexus|pulmonary]], and [[esophageal plexus]]es.  It forms the [[posterior vagal trunk]] at the lower part of the esophagus and passes through the [[thoracic diaphragm|diaphragm]]  to enter the abdomen through the [[esophageal hiatus]].

'''Left Vagus Nerve:''' The left vagus nerve enters the [[thorax]] between [[left common carotid artery]] and left [[subclavian artery]] and descends on the [[aortic arch]].  It gives rise to the left [[recurrent laryngeal nerve]], which hooks around the [[aortic arch]] to the left of the [[ligamentum arteriosum]] and ascends between the trachea and esophagus. The left vagus further gives off thoracic cardiac branches, breaks up into the [[pulmonary plexus]], continues into the esophageal plexus, and enters the abdomen as the [[anterior vagal trunk]] by way of the esophageal hiatus of the diaphragm.

===Branches===
* [[Pharyngeal branch of vagus nerve|Pharyngeal nerve]]
* [[Superior laryngeal nerve]]
* [[Aortic nerve]]
* [[Superior cervical cardiac branches of vagus nerve]]
* [[Inferior cervical cardiac branch]]
* [[Recurrent laryngeal nerve]]
* [[Cardiac branches of the vagus nerve|Thoracic cardiac branches]]
* Branches to the [[pulmonary plexus]]
* Branches to the [[esophageal plexus]]
* [[Anterior vagal trunk]]
* [[Posterior vagal trunk]]

===Nuclei===
The vagus nerve includes [[axon]]s which emerge from or converge onto four [[cranial nerve nucleus|nuclei]] of the medulla:
# The [[dorsal nucleus of vagus nerve]]  – sends [[parasympathetic nervous system|parasympathetic]] output to the viscera, especially the intestines
# The [[nucleus ambiguus]] – gives rise to the branchial efferent motor fibers of the vagus nerve and preganglionic parasympathetic neurons that innervate the heart
# The [[solitary nucleus]] – receives afferent taste information and primary afferents from visceral organs
# The [[spinal trigeminal nucleus]] – receives information about deep/crude touch, pain, and temperature of the outer ear, the [[dura mater|dura]] of the [[posterior cranial fossa]] and the mucosa of the larynx