vasomotor

adjective

va·​so·​mo·​tor ˌvā-zə-ˈmō-tər 

: of, relating to, or being nerves or the centers (as in the medulla oblongata or spinal cord) from which they arise that regulate the amount of blood passing to a particular body part or organ by controlling the internal diameter of blood vessels

Word History

Etymology

vaso- + motor entry 2, after French vaso-moteur

First Known Use

1865, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

vasomotor

adjective

va·​so·​mo·​tor ˌvā-zō-ˈmōt-ər 

: of, relating to, affecting, or being those nerves or the centers (as in the medulla and spinal cord) from which they arise that supply the muscle fibers of the walls of blood vessels, include sympathetic vasoconstrictors and parasympathetic vasodilators, and by their effect on vascular diameter regulate the amount of blood passing to a particular body part or organ