Cranial nerves. Historical anatomical artwork of a side view of a dissected human neck and upper torso, showing the route of three of the twelve cranial nerves (white, 9-11). These three nerves originate from the same region of the brainstem. Cranial nerve IX (the glossopharangeal nerve) is in the upper throat at upper left, along with part of the facial nerve (cranial nerve VII). Cranial nerve X (the vagus nerve or pneumo-gastric nerve) ennervates the larynx, heart (lower centre) and stomach (bottom centre). Cranial nerve XI (the accessory nerve) goes to major neck and shoulder muscles (upper right). Artwork from The Nerves of the Human Body (Ed. Jones Quain, London, 1839).