(from Latin, vagus: wandering) The vagus nerve, the tenth cranial nerve (see CRANIAL NERVES), is named for its extensive distribution and many sensory and motor branches in the neck, thorax and abdomen. It is the primary brainstem nerve controlling the...

The vagus nerve (also called pneumogastric nerve or cranial nerve X) is the tenth of twelve paired cranial nerves, and is the only nerve that starts in the brainstem (within the medulla oblongata) and extends, through the jugular foramen, down below the...