Special visceral motor function (SVE): from nucleus ambiguus to all intrinsic muscles of the larynx, all pharyngeal and soft palate muscles except for stylopharyngeal muscle (CN IX) and tensor veli palatini (CN V). The nucleus is supplied by upper motor neurons bilaterally in the corticobulbar tracts.

Visceral motor function (GVE): parasympathetic component from dorsal motor nucleus to muscle and glands of the pharynx, larynx, and thoracic (heart, lungs, esophagus) and abdominal viscera (gastric and celiac plexus). The vagus nerve modulates several essential parasympathetic visceral functions, such as determining optimal respiratory and cardiac rates and aiding in digestion by controlling salivation and gut peristalsis.

General somatic sensory function (GSA): sensations from posterior fossa dura mater, nasal concha, skin on the external pinna of the ear, external acoustic meatus, external surface of the tympanic membrane (Arnold’s nerve), pharyngeal and laryngeal mucosa reach the superior jugular ganglia and then to the nucleus of the spinal trigeminal nucleus.

Special sensory function (SA): taste sensation from the epiglottis and hard and soft palate reaches the nucleus solitarius via the inferior ganglion.

General visceral sensory function (GVA): visceral afferent sensations from thoracic and abdominal viscera, from larynx, trachea, esophagus, carotid, and aortic arch baroreceptors reach the caudal nucleus solitarius via the inferior nodose ganglion.