Definition of vagus in English:
vagus
(also vagus nerve)
nounPlural vagi ˈveɪɡəsˈveɪɡəs
Anatomy Each of the tenth pair of cranial nerves, supplying the heart, lungs, upper digestive tract, and other organs of the chest and abdomen.
Example sentencesExamples
- The vagus nerve may run in front of the common carotid artery instead of behind it.
- The smooth muscle portion of the esophagus is innervated by neurons within the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus.
- In experiments that required autonomic blockade, cervical vagi were isolated in the neck.
- Participants had a generator implanted in the anterior chest that was connected to stimulating coils on the left vagus nerve.
- First the doctor may try rubbing the side of the patient's neck where there is a nerve called the vagus nerve.
Origin
Mid 19th century: from Latin (see vague).