Definition

Noun: * Vagus Nerve: The tenth cranial nerve. It is a long, mixed nerve (containing both sensory and motor fibers) that originates in the brainstem and extends down through the neck and into the thorax and abdomen. It provides parasympathetic innervation to the heart, lungs, esophagus, stomach, and most of the abdominal viscera, and also carries sensory information from these organs back to the brain. It plays a critical role in the autonomic nervous system, controlling functions like heart rate, digestion, and respiratory rate.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Stimulation of the nervus vagus can help reduce the frequency of epileptic seizures.
  • The surgeon was careful to avoid damaging the nervus vagus during the neck procedure.
  • The nervus vagus is a key component of the body's rest-and-digest response.

Advanced Usage

• "Vagal tone": Refers to the activity of the vagus nerve. High vagal tone is associated with good emotional regulation and cardiovascular health.
  • Meditation practices are believed to increase vagal tone.
• "Vagal response" or "Vasovagal syncope": A sudden drop in heart rate and blood pressure, often triggered by stress, leading to fainting. This is mediated by the vagus nerve.
  • The sight of blood can trigger a vagal response in some individuals.

Variants and Related Words

• Vagus Nerve (n): The most common English term for .
• Pneumogastric Nerve (n): An older, less common synonym for the vagus nerve.
• Cranial Nerve X (n): The anatomical designation for the vagus nerve.
• Vagal (adj): Pertaining to the vagus nerve.
  • The patient exhibited vagal symptoms.

Synonyms

• Vagus Nerve: The primary and most widely used synonym.
• Pneumogastric Nerve: A historical synonym.
• Tenth Cranial Nerve: The formal anatomical term.
• Wandering Nerve: A descriptive term referencing its long, meandering path through the body.

Related Phrases

• Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS): A medical treatment involving an implanted device that sends electrical pulses to the vagus nerve, used for epilepsy and depression.
  • She underwent surgery for vagus nerve stimulation to manage her condition.

Noun

1. a mixed nerve that supplies the pharynx and larynx and lungs and heart and esophagus and stomach and most of the abdominal viscera