Characterized by nodes, knots, being knobby (rounded protuberance or bulge), or consisting of localized swellings; such as, the nodose ganglion on the intestinal branch of the vagus nerve.

The vagus nerve supplies nerve fibers to the pharynx (throat), larynx (voice box), trachea (windpipe), lungs, heart, esophagus, and the intestinal tract as far as the transverse portion of the colon.

The vagus nerve also brings sensory information back to the brain from the ear, tongue, pharynx, and larynx.

The vagus nerve is the tenth cranial nerve. It originates in the medulla oblongata, a part of the brain stem, and wanders all the way down from the brainstem to the colon.