Cranial Nerve X-Vagus Nerve. The vagus nerve, identified as cranial nerve X, originates in the area between the pons at the base of the brain stem and the spinal column, and extends down through the neck into the chest and abdomen.he vagus nerve includes both sensory and motor nerves and, although they contain both voluntary and involuntary branches, the involuntary members predominate. The voluntary components are motor fibers that carry impulses to muscles in the larynx to aid in speech and swallowing. Other sensory ...