REVA #5: Dissecting and Measuring Cadaveric Human Vagus Nerves v1

This protocol describes our approach for dissecting and characterizing the gross anatomic features of the vagus nerve in human cadavers. All dissection is performed while the body is in the supine position to minimize movement of the nerve and anatomic landmarks during dissection. Photos are taken before, during, and after dissection to document findings. Once the vagus nerve, its branches, and the branches’ targets are identified, the levels of key anatomic landmarks are painted onto the vagus nerve and each branch is painted and documented. After painting, nerve diameters and distances between landmarks are measured.