Library / English Dictionary

VAGUS

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

Irregular inflected form: vagi   

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

A mixed nerve that supplies the pharynx and larynx and lungs and heart and esophagus and stomach and most of the abdominal viscera

Synonyms:

nervus vagus; pneumogastric; pneumogastric nerve; tenth cranial nerve; vagus; vagus nerve; wandering nerve

Classified under:

Nouns denoting body parts

Hypernyms ("vagus" is a kind of...):

cranial nerve (any of the 12 paired nerves that originate in the brain stem)

Derivation:

vagal (of or relating to the vagus nerve)

Credits

 Context examples: 

Inflammation is known to be modulated by the vagus nerve.

(Electroacupuncture Reduces Sepsis in Mice, NIH)

Removal of the spleen in the mice, however, didn’t have an effect, indicating that the vagus nerve influenced inflammation through a novel route that didn’t involve the spleen.

(Electroacupuncture Reduces Sepsis in Mice, NIH)

Further experiments showed that stimulation of the vagus nerve triggered the adrenal glands to release catecholamines, including dopamine and norepinephrine.

(Electroacupuncture Reduces Sepsis in Mice, NIH)

The treatment activated the sciatic nerve, which led to stimulation of the vagus nerve.

(Electroacupuncture Reduces Sepsis in Mice, NIH)