Question

Vagus nerve is
A) Vth cranial nerve
B) VIth cranial nerve
C) IXth cranial nerve
D) Xth cranial nerve

Answer 1

The longest cranial nerve that controls the involuntary and motor actions of various organs. It helps in providing somatic sensation, visceral sensation, and sensation of taste.

Step by step answer: The Vagus nerve is also known as the 10th cranial nerve or a pneumogastric nerve. It is the tenth cranial nerve that interfaces with parasympathetic control of involuntary organs such as lungs, heart, and digestive tract. It is the longest cranial nerve that runs from the brain to the abdomen of the body. It is a single nerve and is the longest of all the twelve nerves. It has two sensory ganglia- superior or inferior. It gives out several branches such as cardiac, oesophageal, and pulmonary. In the digestive system, the vagus innervates the greatest part of the digestive tract and abdominal viscera. Out of all the nerves, it has an extensive network of cranial nerves.
The pharyngeal and laryngeal branches help in the transmission of motor impulses to the pharynx and larynx, cardiac branches help in controlling the heartbeat, the bronchial branch help in bronchial constriction, the oesophageal branches controls the involuntary actions of the digestive tract such as peristalsis and gastrointestinal secretions.
Hence, the correct option is (D) Xth cranial nerve.

Note: All the cranial nerves are classified by Roman numerals based on their location. The vagus nerve is known as cranial nerve X and extends from the brainstem to the part of the colon.