The lungs receive nerve supply from the vagus nerve (CN X) and the sympathetic trunk.

The sympathetic innervation happens through the upper thoracic ganglia and cervical sympathetic ganglia of the sympathetic trunk, while the parasympathetic and sensory innervation is provided by the vagus nerve (CN X). These nerves form two plexuses - anterior pulmonary plexus and posterior pulmonary plexus.

The anterior pulmonary plexus lies anterior to the hilar structures of the lungs. It is continuous posteriorly from the superficial cardiac plexus. The anterior pulmonary plexus contains 2 - 4 branches of the vagus nerve (CN X) and cervical sympathetic cardiac nerves from the deep part and superficial part of the cardiac plexus.
The posterior pulmonary plexus lies posterior to the hilar structures of the lungs. It is continuous laterally from the deep cardiac plexus. The posterior pulmonary plexus is formed by 8 - 18 branches of the vagus nerve (CN X) and cardiac branches from the second to fifth thoracic sympathetic ganglia.

The autonomic nervous system controls physiological functions of the lungs, including the regulation of airway smooth muscle tone, mucus secretion from bronchial glands and blood flow in the lungs.

The parasympathetic nervous system stimulates mucus secretion from the bronchial glands. And it provides contractions of the bronchial smooth muscle cells (bronchoconstriction) and widening (vasodilation) of the pulmonary vessels.
The sympathetic nervous system causes opposite effects. It provides relaxation of the bronchial smooth muscles (bronchodilation) and narrowing (vasoconstriction) of the pulmonary vessels.

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Nerve supply of lungs