X — Vagus nerve

Looks like

The longest cranial nerve, running from the medulla down the neck beside the carotid into the chest and abdomen.

What it does

Slows the heart and drives swallowing, speech, digestion and many organ reflexes.

Keeping it well

Strong stimulation by pain or standing still can drop the heart rate and cause fainting; hoarseness lasting three weeks needs examination.

Related conditions

• Amyloidosis (AL and ATTR)
• Botulism
• Chickenpox (varicella)
• Chronic neuropathic pain
• Chronic pain syndrome
• Fibromyalgia
• Guillain-Barré syndrome
• Lyme disease
• Myasthenia gravis
• Peripheral neuropathy
• Rabies
• Restless legs syndrome
• Shingles (herpes zoster)
• Tetanus
• Vitamin B1, C and other deficiencies