Vagus Nerve

The vagus nerve is the tenth cranial nerve (CN X) and is the longest cranial nerve in the body. It contains both sensory (afferent) and motor (efferent) fibers and serves as a major component of the parasympathetic nervous system. It plays a central role in gut-brain communication influencing mood disorders like depression as well as metabolic conditions. Its dysfunction can result in difficulty swallowing or speaking, abnormal heart rate, digestive issues, and may be implicated in inflammatory diseases. Vagus nerve stimulation is used therapeutically for epilepsy treatment and depression management. Drugs like ondansetron act on serotonin receptors located on vagal terminals involved in nausea/vomiting reflexes during chemotherapy-induced emesis.

Other names

Cranial Nerve XCN XVagal Nerve

Vagus nerve stimulation is used therapeutically for epilepsy treatment and depression management. Ondansetron acts on serotonin receptors located on vagal terminals involved in nausea/vomiting reflexes.