vagus nerve

noun

va·​gus nerve ˈvā-gəs- 

: either of the 10th pair of cranial nerves that arise from the medulla oblongata and supply chiefly the viscera especially with autonomic sensory and motor fibers

called also vagus

Examples of vagus nerve in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Best Thing to Do for Your Gut Health There are different ways to stimulate the vagus nerve—directly by implanting a stimulator or noninvasively with external devices that stimulate the vagus nerve via the neck or the ear, says Abell. —Stacey Colino, TIME, 10 Dec. 2024

The vagus nerve is the longest cranial nerve in the body, extending from the bottom of the brain down through the neck and into the chest and stomach. —Caitlin Pagán, Verywell Health, 3 Dec. 2024

Yoga, vagus nerve stimulators, or red and blue light therapy are also rotated through her wellness regimen. —Isabella Milano, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Nov. 2024

The vagus nerves are among a dozen major cranial nerve pairs. —IEEE Spectrum, 1 May 2019

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin vagus nervus, literally, "wandering nerve,"; so called from its multiplicity of connecting points in the neck, thorax, and abdomen — more at vague

First Known Use

1856, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

vagus nerve

noun

: either of the tenth pair of cranial nerves that arise from the medulla and supply chiefly the viscera especially with autonomic sensory and motor fibers

called also pneumogastric nerve, tenth cranial nerve, vagus