Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Book

Neuroanatomy, Nucleus Ambiguus

Bogdana Petko  1 , Prasanna Tadi  2
In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan.
.
Affiliations
Free Books & Documents
Book

Neuroanatomy, Nucleus Ambiguus

Bogdana Petko et al.
Free Books & Documents

Excerpt

The nucleus ambiguus is the common nucleus of the efferent fibers for glossopharyngeal (CN IX) and vagus (CN X) nerves. The name ‘ambiguus’ originates from its difficult-to-find location and variation in different species. Its location is in the reticular formation in the medulla oblongata. The nucleus ambiguus provides fibers that innervate the somatic muscles of the pharynx, larynx, and soft palate. Additionally, the nucleus ambiguus plays a role in parasympathetic cardiac inhibition through CN X. Unilateral lesions of the nucleus ambiguus may lead to dysphagia and hoarseness, and these characteristics are classic in lateral medullary syndrome (Wallenberg syndrome).

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

Disclosure: Bogdana Petko declares no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.

Disclosure: Prasanna Tadi declares no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.

References

    1. Sonne J, Lopez-Ojeda W. StatPearls [Internet] StatPearls Publishing; Treasure Island (FL): 2025. Jan 24, Neuroanatomy, Cranial Nerve. - PubMed
    1. Baker E, Lui F. StatPearls [Internet] StatPearls Publishing; Treasure Island (FL): 2023. Jul 24, Neuroanatomy, Vagal Nerve Nuclei. - PubMed
    1. Brailoiu E, McGuire M, Shuler SA, Deliu E, Barr JL, Abood ME, Brailoiu GC. Modulation of cardiac vagal tone by bradykinin acting on nucleus ambiguus. Neuroscience. 2017 Dec 04;365:23-32. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Brailoiu GC, Arterburn JB, Oprea TI, Chitravanshi VC, Brailoiu E. Bradycardic effects mediated by activation of G protein-coupled estrogen receptor in rat nucleus ambiguus. Exp Physiol. 2013 Mar;98(3):679-91. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Thau L, Reddy V, Singh P. StatPearls [Internet] StatPearls Publishing; Treasure Island (FL): 2022. Oct 10, Anatomy, Central Nervous System. - PubMed

Publication types

LinkOut - more resources