Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is the Vagus Nerve?FunctionAnatomyDisordersTestsVagus Nerve StimulationCurrent Research
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Is the Vagus Nerve?
Function
Anatomy
Disorders
Tests
Vagus Nerve Stimulation
Current Research
Thevagus nerve, also known as the tenth cranial nerve or cranial nerve X, is a long nerve that originates in thebrain stemand extends through the neck and into the chest and abdomen. It is tasked with regulating critical body functions such as heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, and digestion.
This article looks at the anatomy and function of the vagus nerve as well as medical conditions that can affect it. It also explores the effectiveness of vagus nerve stimulation and where the procedure may prove useful.
The vagus nerve is the longest nerve of theautonomic nervous systemwhich controls involuntary body functions.
The autonomic nervous system is made up of theparasympathetic system, which controls “rest and digest” functions, and thesympathetic nervous system, which handles “fight or flight” responses. The two parts are often thought of as being opposites of each other. The vagus nerve is the main nerve of the parasympathetic nervous system.
The vagus nerve carries motor and sensory information to different organ systems of the body, including:
Motor Functions
The vagus nerve transports nerve signals to the brain to regulate involuntary functions like heart rate, respiration, blood pressure, andperistalsis(the wave-like contraction of muscles that move food through the digestive tract).
Sensory Functions
The vagus nerve also provides sensory information to the skin and muscles which, in turn, stimulatesreflex actionslike coughing, sneezing, swallowing, gagging, and vomiting. The sensory information also stimulates body functions like sweating, salivating, mucus production, and the urge to urinate.
Vagus Nerve and the Gut-Brain AxisThe vagus nerve also forms a link between the gut and the brain, known as the brain-gut axis. In recent years, scientists have established a link between the dysfunction of the brain-gut axis and conditions like obesity, epilepsy, and depression.
Vagus Nerve and the Gut-Brain Axis
The vagus nerve also forms a link between the gut and the brain, known as the brain-gut axis. In recent years, scientists have established a link between the dysfunction of the brain-gut axis and conditions like obesity, epilepsy, and depression.
The vagus nerve is one of 12cranial nerves. While there are actually two vagus nerves (a left and a right), they are referred to collectively as “the vagus nerve.”It has both motor and sensory fibers.
The vagus nerve is the longest and most complex of the cranial nerves. It’s branches include:
Trachea Function and Anatomy
Terry Vine/Getty Images
Common Problems
The malfunctioning of the vagus nerve can undermine its many involuntary body functions, referred to as autonomic dysfunction ordysautonomia.
Problems with the vagus nerve (referred to asvagopathies) can cause a variety of symptoms depending on which part of the nerve is affected.
Among the conditions associated with vagopathy are:
Heart Rate Issues
Cardiac arrhythmiais an irregular heartbeat. It may also includebradycardia(an abnormally slowed heartbeat),tachycardia(an abnormally rapid heartbeat), and palpitations (skipped heartbeat).
Nerve Damage
Gastroparesis
Gastroparesisis a digestive disorder in which food does not move properly from the stomach into the intestines, causing abdominal pain and bloating.
Gastroparesis can also worsenacid reflux, which happens when stomach acids backflow into theesophagus(feeding tube). This includes a chronic form of acid reflux known asgastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Vasovagal Syncope
Dysphagia
Dysphagiais difficulty swallowing foods or liquids.
Laryngopathy
This is the dysfunction of thelarynx(voice box) which can lead to hoarseness and speech problems.
Orthostatic Hypotension
Singultus
Singultusis another name for hiccups.
Testing the Vagus Nerve
Diagnosing vagus nerve dysfunction can be difficult as the damage can occur anywhere along the length and branches of the nerve.
Additional tests may be ordered to check for possible vagus nerve damage or deterioration or damage:
Other tests may be ordered to characterize your symptoms or help narrow the possible causes.
Vagus nerve stimulation(VNS) is a medical treatment in which electrical impulses are sent to the vagus nerve to treatepilepsyormajor depressive disorder (MDD).
VNS involves a device that is strapped around your chest that delivers gentle electrical impulses that “re-synchronize” nerve signals between the brain and gut so that they function more normally.
In the United States, VNS is approved as an add-on therapy for people 4 years and older with treatment-resistantfocal seizures.
How Effective Is VNS?
For those who do not have access to a VNS device or want a more natural approach to treatment, there are practices that may help manage autonomic dysfunction.
Examples include:
It is unclear whether any of these techniques directly stimulate the vagus nerve in the same way as electrical VMS. However, each is known to trigger a positive physiological response that can help relieve stress and improve moods.
Summary
The vagus nerve is the longest and most complex cranial nerve. It has both motor and sensory fibers that are distributed throughout the body and affects many vital processes. It also connects the brain to the gastrointestinal tract.
There are tests that can help determine how effectively the vagus nerve is working and procedures (like vagus nerve stimulation) that can help treat neurological disorders such as epilepsy and depression.
11 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Breit S, Kupferberg A, Rogler G, Hasler G.Vagus nerve as modulator of the brain–gut axis in psychiatric and inflammatory disorders.Front Psychiatry. 2018;9:44. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00044Goldberger JJ, Arora R, Buckley U Shivkumar K.Autonomic nervous system dysfunction.J Am Coll Cardiol.2019 Mar 19;73(10):1189–206. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2018.12.064Rafanelli M, Walsh K, Hamdan MH, Buyan-Dent L.Autonomic dysfunction: diagnosis and management.Handb Clin Neurol. 2019;167:123-37. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-804766-8.00008-XFinsterer J, Grisold W.Disorders of the lower cranial nerves.J Neurosci Rural Pract.2015 Jul-Sep;6(3):377–91. doi:10.4103/0976-3147.158768Yang J, Phi JH.The present and future of vagus nerve stimulation.J Korean Neurosurg Soc.2019 May;62(3):344–52. doi:10.3340/jkns.2019.0037Epilepsy Foundation.Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) therapy.Gerritsen RJS, Band GPH.Breath of life: the respiratory vagal stimulation model of contemplative activity.Front Hum Neurosci.2018;12:397. doi:10.3389/fnhum.2018.00397Telles S, Raghavendra BR, Naveen KV, Manjunath NK, Kumar S, Subramanya P.Changes in autonomic variables following two meditative states described in yoga texts.J Altern Complement. Med.2013;19:35–42. doi:10.1089/acm.2011.0282Jing Y, Liu S, Pan C, Jian Y, Wang M, Ni B.The effects of foot reflexology on vital signs: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Evid Based Complement Alternat Med.2022;2022:4182420. doi:10.1155/2022/4182420Eshuis TAH, Stuijt PJC, Timmerman H, et al.Music and low-frequency vibrations for the treatment of chronic musculoskeletal pain in elderly: a pilot study.PLoS One.2021;16(11):e0259394. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0259394Jungmann M, Vencatachellum S, Van Ryckeghem D, Vogele C.Effects of cold stimulation on cardiac-vagal activation in healthy participants: randomized controlled trial.JMIR Form Res.2018 Jul-Dec;2(2):e10257. doi:10.2196/10257
11 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Breit S, Kupferberg A, Rogler G, Hasler G.Vagus nerve as modulator of the brain–gut axis in psychiatric and inflammatory disorders.Front Psychiatry. 2018;9:44. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00044Goldberger JJ, Arora R, Buckley U Shivkumar K.Autonomic nervous system dysfunction.J Am Coll Cardiol.2019 Mar 19;73(10):1189–206. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2018.12.064Rafanelli M, Walsh K, Hamdan MH, Buyan-Dent L.Autonomic dysfunction: diagnosis and management.Handb Clin Neurol. 2019;167:123-37. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-804766-8.00008-XFinsterer J, Grisold W.Disorders of the lower cranial nerves.J Neurosci Rural Pract.2015 Jul-Sep;6(3):377–91. doi:10.4103/0976-3147.158768Yang J, Phi JH.The present and future of vagus nerve stimulation.J Korean Neurosurg Soc.2019 May;62(3):344–52. doi:10.3340/jkns.2019.0037Epilepsy Foundation.Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) therapy.Gerritsen RJS, Band GPH.Breath of life: the respiratory vagal stimulation model of contemplative activity.Front Hum Neurosci.2018;12:397. doi:10.3389/fnhum.2018.00397Telles S, Raghavendra BR, Naveen KV, Manjunath NK, Kumar S, Subramanya P.Changes in autonomic variables following two meditative states described in yoga texts.J Altern Complement. Med.2013;19:35–42. doi:10.1089/acm.2011.0282Jing Y, Liu S, Pan C, Jian Y, Wang M, Ni B.The effects of foot reflexology on vital signs: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Evid Based Complement Alternat Med.2022;2022:4182420. doi:10.1155/2022/4182420Eshuis TAH, Stuijt PJC, Timmerman H, et al.Music and low-frequency vibrations for the treatment of chronic musculoskeletal pain in elderly: a pilot study.PLoS One.2021;16(11):e0259394. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0259394Jungmann M, Vencatachellum S, Van Ryckeghem D, Vogele C.Effects of cold stimulation on cardiac-vagal activation in healthy participants: randomized controlled trial.JMIR Form Res.2018 Jul-Dec;2(2):e10257. doi:10.2196/10257
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Breit S, Kupferberg A, Rogler G, Hasler G.Vagus nerve as modulator of the brain–gut axis in psychiatric and inflammatory disorders.Front Psychiatry. 2018;9:44. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00044Goldberger JJ, Arora R, Buckley U Shivkumar K.Autonomic nervous system dysfunction.J Am Coll Cardiol.2019 Mar 19;73(10):1189–206. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2018.12.064Rafanelli M, Walsh K, Hamdan MH, Buyan-Dent L.Autonomic dysfunction: diagnosis and management.Handb Clin Neurol. 2019;167:123-37. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-804766-8.00008-XFinsterer J, Grisold W.Disorders of the lower cranial nerves.J Neurosci Rural Pract.2015 Jul-Sep;6(3):377–91. doi:10.4103/0976-3147.158768Yang J, Phi JH.The present and future of vagus nerve stimulation.J Korean Neurosurg Soc.2019 May;62(3):344–52. doi:10.3340/jkns.2019.0037Epilepsy Foundation.Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) therapy.Gerritsen RJS, Band GPH.Breath of life: the respiratory vagal stimulation model of contemplative activity.Front Hum Neurosci.2018;12:397. doi:10.3389/fnhum.2018.00397Telles S, Raghavendra BR, Naveen KV, Manjunath NK, Kumar S, Subramanya P.Changes in autonomic variables following two meditative states described in yoga texts.J Altern Complement. Med.2013;19:35–42. doi:10.1089/acm.2011.0282Jing Y, Liu S, Pan C, Jian Y, Wang M, Ni B.The effects of foot reflexology on vital signs: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Evid Based Complement Alternat Med.2022;2022:4182420. doi:10.1155/2022/4182420Eshuis TAH, Stuijt PJC, Timmerman H, et al.Music and low-frequency vibrations for the treatment of chronic musculoskeletal pain in elderly: a pilot study.PLoS One.2021;16(11):e0259394. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0259394Jungmann M, Vencatachellum S, Van Ryckeghem D, Vogele C.Effects of cold stimulation on cardiac-vagal activation in healthy participants: randomized controlled trial.JMIR Form Res.2018 Jul-Dec;2(2):e10257. doi:10.2196/10257
Breit S, Kupferberg A, Rogler G, Hasler G.Vagus nerve as modulator of the brain–gut axis in psychiatric and inflammatory disorders.Front Psychiatry. 2018;9:44. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00044
Goldberger JJ, Arora R, Buckley U Shivkumar K.Autonomic nervous system dysfunction.J Am Coll Cardiol.2019 Mar 19;73(10):1189–206. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2018.12.064
Rafanelli M, Walsh K, Hamdan MH, Buyan-Dent L.Autonomic dysfunction: diagnosis and management.Handb Clin Neurol. 2019;167:123-37. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-804766-8.00008-X
Finsterer J, Grisold W.Disorders of the lower cranial nerves.J Neurosci Rural Pract.2015 Jul-Sep;6(3):377–91. doi:10.4103/0976-3147.158768
Yang J, Phi JH.The present and future of vagus nerve stimulation.J Korean Neurosurg Soc.2019 May;62(3):344–52. doi:10.3340/jkns.2019.0037
Epilepsy Foundation.Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) therapy.
Gerritsen RJS, Band GPH.Breath of life: the respiratory vagal stimulation model of contemplative activity.Front Hum Neurosci.2018;12:397. doi:10.3389/fnhum.2018.00397
Telles S, Raghavendra BR, Naveen KV, Manjunath NK, Kumar S, Subramanya P.Changes in autonomic variables following two meditative states described in yoga texts.J Altern Complement. Med.2013;19:35–42. doi:10.1089/acm.2011.0282
Jing Y, Liu S, Pan C, Jian Y, Wang M, Ni B.The effects of foot reflexology on vital signs: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Evid Based Complement Alternat Med.2022;2022:4182420. doi:10.1155/2022/4182420
Eshuis TAH, Stuijt PJC, Timmerman H, et al.Music and low-frequency vibrations for the treatment of chronic musculoskeletal pain in elderly: a pilot study.PLoS One.2021;16(11):e0259394. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0259394
Jungmann M, Vencatachellum S, Van Ryckeghem D, Vogele C.Effects of cold stimulation on cardiac-vagal activation in healthy participants: randomized controlled trial.JMIR Form Res.2018 Jul-Dec;2(2):e10257. doi:10.2196/10257
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