Beginner Vagus Nerve (CN X) Quiz

Q1. Which cranial nerve provides most parasympathetic innervation to foregut and midgut derivatives?

• Accessory nerve (CN XI)
• Glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX)
• Vagus nerve (CN X)
• Hypoglossal nerve (CN XII)

Q2. Through which opening does the vagus nerve enter the abdomen?

• Esophageal hiatus
• Aortic hiatus
• Obturator canal
• Caval opening

Q3. Which structures represent the vagus nerves as they enter the abdomen?

• Greater and lesser splanchnic nerves
• Lumbar sympathetic trunks
• Anterior and posterior vagal trunks
• Right and left phrenic nerves

Q4. The anterior vagal trunk is derived predominantly from which vagus nerve?

• Right phrenic nerve
• Right vagus nerve
• Left vagus nerve
• Left phrenic nerve

Q5. The posterior vagal trunk is derived predominantly from which vagus nerve?

• Right phrenic nerve
• Right vagus nerve
• Left vagus nerve
• Left sympathetic trunk

Q6. What type of parasympathetic fibers does the vagus nerve carry into the abdomen?

• Preganglionic sympathetic fibers
• Somatic motor fibers to the abdominal wall
• Preganglionic parasympathetic fibers
• Postganglionic sympathetic fibers

Q7. Where do vagal parasympathetic fibers generally synapse in abdominal organs?

• In the spinal cord anterior horn
• In or near the target organ
• In dorsal root ganglia
• In the sympathetic trunk

Q8. Which embryologic territories receive abdominal parasympathetic supply from the vagus nerve?

• Hindgut only
• Foregut and midgut
• Foregut and hindgut only
• Hindgut and cloaca only

Q9. Which large intestinal segment is generally within the vagal parasympathetic territory?

• Rectum
• Ascending colon
• Distal descending colon
• Sigmoid colon

Q10. Which nerves take over parasympathetic supply to hindgut derivatives?

• Greater thoracic splanchnic nerves
• Lumbar splanchnic nerves
• Pelvic splanchnic nerves
• Sacral sympathetic nerves