vagus nerve

American  

noun

Anatomy.

plural

vagus nerves

1. either one of the tenth pair of cranial nerves, consisting of motor fibers that innervate the muscles of the pharynx, larynx, heart, and thoracic and abdominal viscera, and of sensory fibers that conduct impulses from these structures to the brain.

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vagus nerve Scientific  

/ vā′gəs /

1. Either of the tenth pair of cranial nerves that carries motor impulses from the brain to many major organs. The vagus nerve controls the muscles of the larynx (voice box), stimulates digestion, and regulates the heartbeat.

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Etymology

Origin of vagus nerve

First recorded in 1830–40

Example Sentences

GLP-1 receptors are expressed not just in the pancreas and stomach, but throughout the vagus nerve, the brain stem, and the hypothalamus.

From Slate • Mar. 22, 2026

Techniques which can help activate the vagus nerve:

From BBC • Jan. 2, 2026

If there's one nerve you want to touch in 2026 - it's the vagus nerve.

From BBC • Jan. 2, 2026

"When the integrity of the connection to the vagus nerve is lost, the heart ages more rapidly," explains Professor Lionetti.

From Science Daily • Jan. 1, 2026

“For a few seconds. Suspends its respiration; yours, too, but humans can function without respiring—perspiring?—for a couple of minutes, but the vagus nerve of an andy—”

From "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" by Philip K. Dick