The anterior vagal trunk is one of the two divisions (the other being the posterior vagal trunk) into which the

vagus nerve The vagus nerve, also known as the tenth cranial nerve (CN X), plays a crucial role in the autonomic nervous system, which is responsible for regulating involuntary functions within the human body. This nerve carries both sensory and motor fibe ...

splits as it passes through the

esophageal hiatus In human anatomy, the esophageal hiatus is an opening in the diaphragm through which the esophagus and the vagus nerve pass. Structure The esophageal hiatus is an oval opening in (sources differ) the right crus of the diaphragm/left crus of the ...

to enter the

abdominal cavity The abdominal cavity is a large body cavity in humans and many other animals that contain Organ (anatomy), organs. It is a part of the abdominopelvic cavity. It is located below the thoracic cavity, and above the pelvic cavity. Its dome-shaped roo ...

. The anterior and posterior vagal trunks represent the inferior continuation of the esophageal nervous plexus inferior to the

diaphragm Diaphragm may refer to: Anatomy * Thoracic diaphragm, a thin sheet of muscle between the thorax and the abdomen * Pelvic diaphragm or pelvic floor, a pelvic structure * Urogenital diaphragm or triangular ligament, a pelvic structure Other * Diap ...

. The majority of nerve fibres in the anterior vagal trunk are derived from the left vagus nerve. The anterior vagal trunk is responsible mainly for providing

parasympathetic The parasympathetic nervous system (PSNS) is one of the three divisions of the autonomic nervous system, the others being the sympathetic nervous system and the enteric nervous system. The autonomic nervous system is responsible for regulat ...

innervation to the lesser curvature of the stomach, pylorus, gallbladder, and biliary apparatus.

Anatomy

Branches

* Hepatic branches which supply the

liver The liver is a major metabolic organ (anatomy), organ exclusively found in vertebrates, which performs many essential biological Function (biology), functions such as detoxification of the organism, and the Protein biosynthesis, synthesis of var ...

, gallbladder, and biliary apparatus. * Celiac branches which contributes

afferents to the

celiac plexus The celiac plexus, also known as the solar plexus because of its radiating nerve fibers, is a nerve plexus, complex network of nerves located in the abdomen, near where the celiac trunk, superior mesenteric artery, and renal arteries branch fro ...

. * Anterior gastric branches which supply the

stomach The stomach is a muscular, hollow organ in the upper gastrointestinal tract of Human, humans and many other animals, including several invertebrates. The Ancient Greek name for the stomach is ''gaster'' which is used as ''gastric'' in medical t ...

. * Anterior and posterior nerves of Latarjet which innervate the

pylorus The pylorus ( or ) connects the stomach to the duodenum. The pylorus is considered as having two parts, the ''pyloric antrum'' (opening to the body of the stomach) and the ''pyloric canal'' (opening to the duodenum). The ''pyloric canal'' ends a ...

, and proximal

duodenum The duodenum is the first section of the small intestine in most vertebrates, including mammals, reptiles, and birds. In mammals, it may be the principal site for iron absorption. The duodenum precedes the jejunum and ileum and is the shortest p ...

Clinical significance

The anterior vagal trunk and its branches are at risk of

injury Injury is physiological damage to the living tissue of any organism, whether in humans, in other animals, or in plants. Injuries can be caused in many ways, including mechanically with penetration by sharp objects such as teeth or with ...

during surgeries of the distal oesophagus, stomach, proximal duodenum, gallbladder, and biliary tract.

References

External links

* () Vagus nerve Nerves of the torso {{neuroanatomy-stub