Anterior vagal trunk
The anterior vagal trunk is one of the two divisions into which the vagus nerve splits as it passes through the esophageal hiatus to enter the abdominal cavity. The anterior and posterior vagal trunks represent the inferior continuation of the esophageal nervous plexus inferior to the diaphragm. The majority of nerve fibres in the anterior vagal trunk are derived from the left vagus nerve.
The anterior vagal trunk is responsible mainly for providing parasympathetic innervation to the lesser curvature of the stomach, pylorus, gallbladder, and biliary apparatus.
Anatomy
Branches
- Hepatic branches which supply the liver, gallbladder, and biliary apparatus.
- Celiac branches which contributes parasympathetic afferents to the celiac plexus.
- Anterior gastric branches which supply the stomach.
- Anterior and posterior nerves of Latarjet which innervate the pylorus, and proximal duodenum.