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

Singing, humming, laughing and even gargling stimulate the vagus nerve, and cold-water exposure can activate it and enhance its tone. 4. —Paul Von Zielbauer, Los Angeles Times, 6 June 2025

Here’s my honest review of this effective vagus nerve stimulation device. —Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 16 June 2025

Experts compare naproxen, ibuprofen What is vagus nerve stimulation? —Caroline C. Boyle, USA Today, 18 May 2025

Images courtesy of the researchers The researchers conducted a Phase 1 trial with nine patients over 12 vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) sessions. —Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 9 May 2025

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