Anatomy and Structure of the Inferior Ganglion of Vagus Nerve
- The inferior ganglion of vagus nerve is elongated.
- It is larger than the superior ganglion of vagus nerve.
- It is situated within the jugular fossa.
- It is located just inferior to the jugular foramen.
- The inferior ganglion contains the neuron cell bodies of all sensory fibers of the CN X, except those of the auricular branch of vagus nerve.
- The neurons in the inferior ganglion of the vagus nerve are pseudounipolar.
- They provide sensory innervation (general somatic afferent and general visceral afferent).
- The axons of the neurons innervating taste buds of the epiglottis synapse in the rostral portion of the solitary nucleus (gustatory nucleus).
- The axons of the neurons providing general sensory information synapse in the spinal trigeminal nucleus.
Distribution of the Inferior Ganglion of Vagus Nerve
- The neurons in the inferior ganglion of the vagus nerve innervate the taste buds on the epiglottis.
- They also innervate the chemoreceptors of the aortic bodies and baroreceptors in the aortic arch.
- The majority of neurons in the inferior ganglion provide sensory innervation to the heart, respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts, and other abdominal organs such as the urinary bladder.
Development of the Inferior Ganglion of Vagus Nerve
- The neurons in the inferior ganglion of the vagus nerve are embryonically derived from epibranchial neurogenic placodes.
Clinical Significance (Empty)
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The inferior ganglion of the vagus nerve (also known as the nodose ganglion) is one of the two sensory ganglia of each vagus nerve (cranial nerve X). It contains neuron cell bodies of general visceral afferent fibers and special visceral afferent fibers. It is situated within the jugular fossa just below the skull. It is situated just below the superior ganglion of vagus nerve.
| Inferior ganglion of vagus nerve | |
|---|---|
 Pathway of upper portions of glossopharyngeal, vagus, and accessory nerves. The inferior ganglion of the vagus nerve is labeled as ‘Gang. Nodosum’. | |
| Details | |
| From | vagus nerve |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | ganglion inferius nervi vagi, ganglion nodosum |
| MeSH | D009620 |
| TA98 | A14.2.01.157 |
| TA2 | 6336 |
| FMA | 6230 |
| Anatomical terms of neuroanatomy | |
