Pharyngeal branch of vagus nerve
Encyclopedia
The pharyngeal branch of the vagus nerve
, the principal motor nerve of the pharynx
, arises from the upper part of the ganglion nodosum, and consists principally of filaments from the cranial portion of the accessory nerve
.
It passes across the internal carotid artery
to the upper border of the Constrictor pharyngis medius, where it divides into numerous filaments, which join with branches from the glossopharyngeal, sympathetic
, and external laryngeal to form the pharyngeal plexus
.
From the plexus, branches are distributed to the muscles and mucous membrane
of the pharynx
(except the stylopharyngeus) and the muscles of the soft palate
, except the Tensor veli palatini. A minute filament descends and joins the hypoglossal nerve
as it winds around the occipital artery
.
Vagus nerve
The vagus nerve , also called pneumogastric nerve or cranial nerve X, is the tenth of twelve paired cranial nerves...
, the principal motor nerve of the pharynx
Pharynx
The human pharynx is the part of the throat situated immediately posterior to the mouth and nasal cavity, and anterior to the esophagus and larynx. The human pharynx is conventionally divided into three sections: the nasopharynx , the oropharynx , and the laryngopharynx...
, arises from the upper part of the ganglion nodosum, and consists principally of filaments from the cranial portion of the accessory nerve
Accessory nerve
In anatomy, the accessory nerve is a nerve that controls specific muscles of the shoulder and neck. As part of it was formerly believed to originate in the brain, it is considered a cranial nerve...
.
It passes across the internal carotid artery
Internal carotid artery
In human anatomy, the internal carotid arteries are two major arteries, one on each side of the head and neck. They arise from the common carotid arteries where these bifurcate into the internal and external carotid artery, and they supply the brain....
to the upper border of the Constrictor pharyngis medius, where it divides into numerous filaments, which join with branches from the glossopharyngeal, sympathetic
Sympathetic nervous system
The sympathetic nervous system is one of the three parts of the autonomic nervous system, along with the enteric and parasympathetic systems. Its general action is to mobilize the body's nervous system fight-or-flight response...
, and external laryngeal to form the pharyngeal plexus
Pharyngeal plexus
Pharyngeal plexus can refer to:* Pharyngeal plexus of vagus nerve* Pharyngeal plexus...
.
From the plexus, branches are distributed to the muscles and mucous membrane
Mucous membrane
The mucous membranes are linings of mostly endodermal origin, covered in epithelium, which are involved in absorption and secretion. They line cavities that are exposed to the external environment and internal organs...
of the pharynx
Pharynx
The human pharynx is the part of the throat situated immediately posterior to the mouth and nasal cavity, and anterior to the esophagus and larynx. The human pharynx is conventionally divided into three sections: the nasopharynx , the oropharynx , and the laryngopharynx...
(except the stylopharyngeus) and the muscles of the soft palate
Soft palate
The soft palate is the soft tissue constituting the back of the roof of the mouth. The soft palate is distinguished from the hard palate at the front of the mouth in that it does not contain bone....
, except the Tensor veli palatini. A minute filament descends and joins the hypoglossal nerve
Hypoglossal nerve
The hypoglossal nerve is the twelfth cranial nerve , leading to the tongue. The nerve arises from the hypoglossal nucleus and emerges from the medulla oblongata in the preolivary sulcus separating the olive and the pyramid. It then passes through the hypoglossal canal...
as it winds around the occipital artery
Occipital artery
The occipital artery arises from the external carotid artery opposite the facial artery, its path is below the posterior belly of digastric to the occipital region. This artery supplies blood to the back of the scalp and sterno-mastoid muscles...
.