Vagus Nerve Course in Thorax & Abdomen
Thorax:Left Vagus NerveRight Vagus NerveCrosses in front of the left subclavian artery. Enters the thorax between the left common carotid and subclavian arteries.Crosses in front of the first part of the subclavian artery.Descends on the left side of the aortic arch. Travels behind the phrenic nerve.Travels behind the innominate vessels. Reaches the thorax on the right side of the trachea.Courses behind the root of the left lung. Deviates medially and downwards to reach the esophagus and form the esophageal plexus with the right vagus nerve.Inclines behind the hilum of the right lung. Courses medially towards the esophagus to form the esophageal plexus with the left vagus nerve.
Abdomen:The esophageal plexus, formed by the union of the right and left vagus nerves. The vagus nerve enters the abdomen through the esophageal hiatus at the level of the tenth thoracic vertebra (T10). It divides into the anterior and posterior vagal trunks, which innervate the stomach, small intestine, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, and spleen.
Nerves in esophageal hiatus?Ant & post vagal trunks.
What do they supply?Stomach, duodenum, jejunum, ileum, cecum, ascending colon, medial 2/3 of transverse colon, spleen, pancreas, gall bladder.
Muscle dissected to see thyroid?Sternohyoid muscle