Question #496
Regarding the vagus nerve, which of the following statements is correct?
The vagus nerve supplies parasympathetic innervation to foregut and midgut structures. It does not innervate beyond 2/3rds along the transverse colon (the beginning
of the hindgut). The vagus nerve therefore innervates all secondarily retroperitoneal structures except the descending colon.
Proximally, the vagus nerve gives off two main branches:
- Superior laryngeal
- Recurrent laryngeal
They both innervate structures of the fourth and sixth pharyngeal arches.
On the right the recurrent laryngeal nerve passes under the subclavian artery, on the left it runs along the anterior surface of the aortic arch before looping around
the ligamentum arteriosum.
