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Does Damage To The Vagus Nerve Cause Instantaneous Death?
I watched a kung fu movie called, Red Dragon of course its only a movie but im curious as to whether this would actually work... In the movie there was a certain nerve in the left temple of the skull called the vagus nerve, in the movie they would precisely strike this nerve with the knuckle of their thumb, this would then cause instantanious death or paralysis. IS THIS POSSIBLE? This was reportedly true in the movie as they had doctors (actors) say that this is a possibility as well as several anatomy journals showing the vagus nerve in the location as mentioned.
Wed, 9 Oct 2019
Hello,
It is just a fiction and not factually correct. Vagus starts from neck and descends to abdomen and not located in the temple. However, injury to vagus can cause sudden cardiac arrest and death.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Wishing you all the best.
Regards,
Dr. Shinas Hussain, General & Family Physician
It is just a fiction and not factually correct. Vagus starts from neck and descends to abdomen and not located in the temple. However, injury to vagus can cause sudden cardiac arrest and death.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Wishing you all the best.
Regards,
Dr. Shinas Hussain, General & Family Physician
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