vagus nerve

noun

va·​gus nerve ˈvā-gəs- How to pronounce vagus nerve (audio)
: 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
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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 The research team, which includes scientists at The University of Texas at Dallas and Baylor University Medical Center, combined PET with the delivery of short bursts of stimulation of the vagus nerve through a small device fitted to a participant’s neck. Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 9 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for vagus nerve

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of vagus nerve was in 1856

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Cite this Entry

“Vagus nerve.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vagus%20nerve. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.

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

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