FUNCTIONS: sensory, motor, parasympathetic and some special sensory (taste)

The vagus nerve means the wanderer due to its extensive innervation throughout the body. It is responsible for sensation from the inferior pharynx, larynx and thoracic & abdominal viscera. Taste from the root of the tongue and the taste buds located on the epiglottis is also carried by CN X. The vagus nerve innervates the muscles of the soft palate, pharynx, the intrinsic laryngeal muscles and the palatoglossus muscle of the tongue. Parasympathetic innervation of the thoracic and abdominal viscera down to the splenic flexure is also a function of CN X. The vagus nerve will exit the skull with the glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX) at the JUGULAR FORAMEN.