The inferior ganglion of the vagus nerve, (nodose ganglion) is a sensory ganglion of the
peripheral nervous system. It is located within the
jugular foramen where the
vagus nerve exits the skull. It is larger than and below the
superior ganglion of the vagus nerve.
Structure
The neurons in the inferior ganglion of the vagus nerve are
pseudounipolar and provide sensory innervation (
general somatic afferent and
general visceral afferent). The
axons of the neurons which innervate the taste buds of the epiglottis synapse in the rostral portion of the
solitary nucleus
In the human brainstem, the solitary nucleus, also called nucleus of the solitary tract, nucleus solitarius, and nucleus tractus solitarii, (SN or NTS) is a series of purely sensory
nuclei (clusters of nerve cell bodies) forming a vertical column ...
(
gustatory nucleus
The gustatory nucleus is the rostral part of the solitary nucleus located in the medulla. The gustatory nucleus is associated with the sense of taste and has two sections, the rostral and lateral regions. A close association between the gustatory ...
). The axons of the neurons which provide general sensory information synapse in the
spinal trigeminal nucleus.
The axons of the neurons which innervate the aortic bodies, aortic arch, respiratory and gastrointestinal tract, synapse in the caudal part of the solitary nucleus.
Function
The neurons in the inferior ganglion of the vagus nerve innervate the taste buds on the epiglottis, the chemoreceptors of the
aortic bodies and baroreceptors in the
aortic arch. Most importantly, the majority of neurons in the inferior ganglion provide sensory innervation to the
heart,
respiratory and
gastrointestinal tract
The gastrointestinal tract (GI tract, digestive tract, alimentary canal) is the tract or passageway of the digestive system that leads from the mouth to the anus. The GI tract contains all the major organ (biology), organs of the digestive syste ...
s and other abdominal organs as the urinary bladder.
Development
The neurons in the inferior ganglion of the vagus nerve are embryonically derived from epibranchial
neurogenic placodes.
Clinical Significance
References
{{Authority control
Sensory ganglia