vagus nerve

noun, plural vagus nerves. Anatomy.

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.

Origin of vagus nerve

First recorded in 1830–40

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

vagus nerve in Medicine

vagus nerve

n.

Either of the tenth pair cranial nerves that originate from the medulla oblongata and supply multiple vital organs, including the lungs, heart, and gastrointestinal viscera.pneumogastric nerve tenth cranial nerve

vagus nerve in Science

vagus nerve

[vā′gəs]

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.