What is the nerve vagus?

One aspect of a study of neurology is the identification of individual nerves that work to carry sensory information from different parts of the body to the brain. The vagus nerve is an important way in the nervous system because it carries signals from several areas of the body, including lungs, esophagus, stomach, larynx (voice box), pharynx, lung, heart and large parts of the digestive system. Literally translated "vagus" means "wandering" in Latin. The most complex and longest of the nerves descending from the brain, the vagus gets its name by wandering through the large area of ​​the body to serve this wide range of organs. It passes through the jugular foramen, a hole in the skull, continues between the carotid artery and the jugular vein in the carotid cloak. From there it spreads and branches all over the body, Giving rise to several branches along the road. The function of the body that depends on the nerve vagina includes peristalsis - wave contractions - in the gastrointestinal tract, sweating and even the movement of the mouth that allows speech.

also known as the tenth cranial nerve or pneumogastric nerve, nerves vagus transmits signals to these areas of the body from the brain and adds messages back to the brain. Among other functions, the nerve vagus may transmit signals that will reduce the heart rate when interacting with a sinoatrial node. More than 80 percent of the nerve fibers in the nerve vagus carries sensory information so that the brain can interpret the general condition of the lungs, hearts and guts. The rest of the nerve fibers are motor fibers that trigger movement or effect in the body. Because the vagus nerve carries sensory and motor fibers, it is considered an asmate nerve.

Stimulation of the nerve vagus using a device similar to the heart pacemaker is sometimes used to treat epileptic seizures and some forms of depression that do not respond to drugs. The vagus nerve can also be stimulated by specific movements or muscle contractions. These types of stimulation are sometimes recommended in patients sufferingEven the types of cardiac arrhythmia. Blocking the effect of the nerve vagus through similar manipulations or even its cutting in the procedure called vogotomy is sometimes used in conjunction with bariatric surgery to treat morbid obesity.