The cardiac branches of the vagus nerve are two sets of nerves found in the upper torso, in close proximity to the larynx. The specific branches are the cervical cardiac branches of vagus nerve and the thoracic cardiac branches of vagus nerve.

Cervical cardiac branches of vagus nerve

The cervical cardiac branches (sometimes ambiguously called superior cardiac branches) of vagus nerve, two or three in number, arise from the

vagus The vagus nerve, also known as the tenth cranial nerve, cranial nerve X, or simply CN X, is a cranial nerve that interfaces with the parasympathetic control of the heart, lungs, and digestive tract. It comprises two nerves—the left and right ...

, at the upper and lower parts of the neck. * The upper branches are small, and communicate with the cardiac branches of the sympathetic. They can be traced to the deep part of the cardiac plexus. * The lower branch arises at the root of the neck, just above the first rib. That from the right vagus passes in front or by the side of the

innominate artery The brachiocephalic artery (or brachiocephalic trunk or innominate artery) is an artery of the mediastinum that supplies blood to the right arm and the head and neck. It is the first branch of the aortic arch. Soon after it emerges, the brachio ...

, and proceeds to the deep part of the cardiac plexus; that from the left runs down across the left side of the

aortic arch The aortic arch, arch of the aorta, or transverse aortic arch () is the part of the aorta between the ascending and descending aorta. The arch travels backward, so that it ultimately runs to the left of the trachea. Structure The aorta begins ...

, and joins the superficial part of the cardiac plexus.

Thoracic cardiac branches of vagus nerve

The thoracic cardiac branches (sometimes ambiguously called inferior cardiac branches) of vagus nerve, on the right side, arise from the trunk of the

as it lies by the side of the

trachea The trachea, also known as the windpipe, is a cartilaginous tube that connects the larynx to the bronchi of the lungs, allowing the passage of air, and so is present in almost all air-breathing animals with lungs. The trachea extends from th ...

, and from its recurrent nerve; on the left side from the recurrent nerve only; passing inward, they end in the deep part of the cardiac plexus.

References

{{Authority control Vagus nerve Nerves of the torso