Chapter V

Abstract

Vagal part of ANS: The vagal part (TNA Latin: Pars vagalis) is a part of the craniosacral parasympathetic part of the autonomic nervous system. It supplies the organs of the abdominal cavity, except for the lesser pelvic organs and derivatives of the hindgut, via two trunks of the vagus nerves, the anterior and posterior vagal trunks (Fig. V1). The anterior vagal trunk (TNA Latin: Truncus vagalis anterior) gives rise to: (1) the anterior nerve of the lesser curvature (TNA Latin: Nervus anterior curvaturae minoris; eponym: anterior nerve of Latarjet; see Nerves of Latarjet for illustration), which gives off the anterior gastric branches (TNA Latin: Rami gastrici anteriores); and (2) the hepatic branches (TNA Latin: Rami hepatici), which give off the pyloric branch (TNA Latin: Ramus pyloricus). The posterior vagal trunk (TNA Latin: Truncus vagalis posterior) gives off: (1) the posterior nerve of the lesser curvature (TNA Latin: Nervus posterior curvaturae minoris; eponym: posterior nerve of Latarjet), which gives rise to the posterior gastric branches (TNA Latin: Rami gastrii posteriores); (2) the celiac or coeliac branches (TNA Latin: Rami coeliaci); and (3) the renal branches (TNA Latin: Rami renales).