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

That’s because vagus nerve stimulation might work in part by raising brain levels of norepinephrine – and people with Alzheimer’s have too little norepinephrine in their brains. —Elizabeth Riley, The Conversation, 26 Mar. 2026

Having a massage therapist work on his vagus nerve had helped too. —Jacob Stern, The Atlantic, 16 Mar. 2026

Stimulating the vagus nerve also improved the mice’s cognitive performance. —Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 11 Mar. 2026

When that’s the case, turn instead to non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation; these small handheld devices can provide stress relief that balance our nervous systems before bed. —Gretta Monahan, Boston Herald, 18 Jan. 2026

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

Rhymes for vagus nerve

• conserve
• deserve
• manoeuvre
• observe
• preserve
• reserve
• subserve
• curve
• mirv
• serve
• swerve
• verve

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