THE VAGUS NERVE. 



1273 



fact, a portion of it has been deliberately removed with success. In those cases in 

 which the nerve was divided, difhculty in breathing and swallowing, slowing of 

 the respiration, laryngismus, changes in the voice, diminished inspiratory murmur, 

 asthma and pneumonia were noticed (Park). In cases of pressure by tumors on 

 the pneumogastrics of both sides, lung disturbances, dyspnoea, weakening of the 

 pulse, and a ravenous appetite were observed. 



Fig. 1081. 



Superior cervical cardiac 

 branch of sympathetic 



Vagus nerve 



Middle cervical ganglion 



of sympathetic 



Clai 

 Recurrent laryn 

 nerve, displaced outw 



Inferior cervical cardiac of sj'i 



theticjoining superior bran 



Recurrent laryngeal 



nerve 



Inferior cervical cardiac 



branch of vagu"^ 



Innominate artery 



Aorta 



Combined sympathetic 



and vagal inferior 



cervical cardiac nerves 



Right bronchus 



Pulmonary artery 

 Right vagus 



* Thoracic duct 

 Vena azygos 



Aorta 



Vena cava inferior, 

 sectional surface 



Liver, under surface 



Branches to liver 

 and gall bladder 



Vagus nerve 



Superior cervical cardiac branch 

 Subclavian artery [of vagus 

 I n f erior cervical cardiac branch 

 Clavicle [of vagus 



I. rib 



Inferior cer\'ical 

 cardiac branch of 

 sympathetic 

 Recurrent laryn- 

 geal nerve 



Inferior cervical 

 cardiac branch 

 of sympathetic 



— Left bronchus 

 Pulmonary artery 

 Lung, mesial surface 



CEsophagus 



'art of left vagus 

 about to aid in 

 formation of 

 plexus guise 



Part of right vagus 

 about to pass 

 through diaphragm 



Left vagus 



Dissection showing lower part of pneumogastric nerves and their branches. 



Lesions of the recurrent laryngeal branch of the pneumogastric, from tumors, 

 abscesses, etc., are comparatively common. Injury to this nerve is the chief danger 

 to be feared in the removal of the thyroid gland, passing as it does so close to the 

 gland and to the inferior thyroid artery where the latter is usually ligated preliminary 

 to or during the excision of the gland. As it is the main motor nerve of the larynx, 



