Definition

Noun: * Tenth cranial nerve: The tenth cranial nerve, also known as the vagus nerve, is a major paired nerve of the parasympathetic nervous system. It is a mixed nerve, meaning it contains both sensory (afferent) and motor (efferent) fibers. It provides extensive innervation to numerous organs in the thorax and abdomen, including the heart, lungs, esophagus, stomach, and much of the intestinal tract, influencing functions like heart rate, digestion, and respiratory rate.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Stimulation of the tenth cranial nerve is sometimes used to treat certain cases of epilepsy.
  • The doctor explained that the fainting spell was related to an overactive tenth cranial nerve.
  • Damage to the tenth cranial nerve can lead to difficulties with swallowing and speech.

Advanced Usage

• "Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS)": A therapeutic treatment that involves delivering electrical impulses to the tenth cranial nerve. It is used for conditions like drug-resistant epilepsy and treatment-resistant depression.
  • The patient was fitted with a device for vagus nerve stimulation.

Variants and Related Words

• Vagus nerve (n): The most common synonym for the tenth cranial nerve.
  • The vagus nerve is the longest cranial nerve.
• Pneumogastric nerve (n): An older, less common term for the tenth cranial nerve.
• Cranial nerve X (n): The anatomical designation using Roman numerals.
  • Cranial nerve X exits the skull through the jugular foramen.

Synonyms

• Vagus nerve
• Pneumogastric nerve
• Cranial nerve X
• Nervus vagus (the Latin anatomical term)

Related Phrases

• Vagal tone (n): The activity level of the vagus nerve. High vagal tone is associated with a healthy stress response and better emotional regulation.
  • Meditation can help improve vagal tone.
• Vagal response (n): A cluster of symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, and fainting caused by excessive stimulation of the vagus nerve.
  • The sight of blood can trigger a vasovagal response in some people.

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