Final answer:
The vagus nerve is responsible for autonomic control of organs in the thoracic and upper abdominal cavities. It originates in the dorsal nucleus of the vagus nerve in the brainstem, exits the skull through the jugular foramen, and extends down to the thoracic and abdominal cavities.
Step-by-step explanation:
The vagus nerve is the tenth cranial nerve responsible for the autonomic control of organs in the thoracic and upper abdominal cavities. It originates in the dorsal nucleus of the vagus nerve, which is located in the brainstem. The vagus nerve exits the skull through the jugular foramen and extends down to the thoracic and abdominal cavities.