Introduction
One of the most important things to know about the term “vagus” is that it means “wandering.” “Vagus” is a Latin word, reflecting how the vagus nerve wanders from the brain to various organs in the body, such as the thorax (chest), abdomen, and neck, extending to the colon. It is also known as the 10th cranial nerve or cranial nerve X. Now, where is the vagus nerve? It is the longest and most intricate of the 12 pairs of cranial nerves, stretching from the brain all the way to the colon. Additionally, the vagus nerve contains two types of sensory nerve cell bodies, connecting the brainstem to the body. This allows the brain to monitor and receive information from different body parts. The vagus nerve plays a significant role in the autonomic nervous system, contributing to both the parasympathetic and sympathetic portions, which regulate many bodily functions.
Vagus Nerve and Its Affect
Besides all of that, Vagus nerve is liable for some sensory activities and also, the motor information for movement within the human body. Importantly, it is a portion of the circuit that connects heart, neck, lungs and abdomen to the human brain. Besides all of that, the vagus nerves have a number of distinct functions and the 4 key functions comprises of the following – the first is the sensory function from throat, heart, lungs and abdomen connection. The second is the special sensory function that provides taste and smell sensation behind the tongue. Next third, is the motor sensory function that provides movement for the muscles in the neck, and responsible for swallowing and speech. And, the fourth is the parasympathetic sensory function, for digestive tract, respiration and heart rate functioning.
Sympathetic and Parasympathetic
Further, its working or functions can be broken down into 7 categories and one such category is the balance of the nervous system. The nervous system is divided into 2 areas – sympathetic and parasympathetic. The sympathetic functions increase BP, energy, alertness, heart rate, and breathing rate. Whereas the parasympathetic – in which the vagus nerve is there decreases the alertness, heart rate, BP, and assists with the human body to relax and stay calm and digest food. As a result, the vagus nerves also help in urination, elimination and arousals.
Other Effects of the Vagus Nerve on Human Body
Some other effects of the vagus nerve on the human body are the communication between the gut and the brain as the nerve delivers information to the brain from the gut. Next, effect is relaxation with deep breathing, decreasing the inflammation, lowering the heart rate and BP and fear management.
