Section of the vagus nerve results in: (A) Increased rate of respiration, (B) Decreased depth of respiration, (C) Irregular breathing patterns, (D) Increases in breath - holding time
Answer is D. Vagus nerve causes contraction of bronchial muscle helping in expiration. Section of vagus nerve leads to difficulty in expiration and therefore increasing breath holding time. Ref: Ganong&;s review of medical physiology; 23rd edition; pg: 267; table 17-1.