GROSS ANATOMY

Detailed explanation-1: -Cranial nerve X is the vagus nerve. The parasympathetic efferents (GVE) fibers from the dorsal vagal nucleus to the thoracic and abdominal viscera to the splenic flexure of the colon represent its major neural component.

Detailed explanation-2: -These fibers send information between your brain, heart and digestive system. The vagus nerves are the 10th of 12 cranial nerves. The vagus is known as cranial nerve X, the Roman numeral for 10.

Detailed explanation-3: -The vagus nerve represents the main component of the parasympathetic nervous system, which oversees a vast array of crucial bodily functions (including control of mood, immune response, digestion, and heart rate).

Detailed explanation-4: -The olfactory nerve is the shortest cranial nerve and is composed of special visceral afferent nerve cells or SVAs. SVA neurons can sense stimuli in the internal organs and mucous membranes and work closely together with the gustatory (taste) processes of the brain.

Detailed explanation-5: -The vagus nerve is the longest cranial nerve. It contains motor and sensory fibers and, because it passes through the neck and thorax to the abdomen, has the widest distribution in the body. It contains somatic and visceral afferent fibers, as well as general and special visceral efferent fibers. (See Table 1, below.)