vagus nerve

Meaning

1. 1nouncountablemedical

   A long nerve running from the brain through the neck and chest to the abdomen, helping control heart rate, digestion and breathing.

   Grammar: Usually with the: stimulating the vagus nerve.

   Patterns

   • stimulate the vagus nerve
   • the vagus nerve controls something

   The vagus nerve helps slow the heart rate after exercise.

   Doctors sometimes stimulate the vagus nerve to reduce seizures.

   Fainting can happen when the vagus nerve overreacts to stress or pain.

Word forms

Common combinations

stimulate the vagus nerve

Slow, deep breathing can stimulate the vagus nerve and help you relax.

vagus nerve stimulation

Vagus nerve stimulation is used to treat some forms of epilepsy.

damage to the vagus nerve

Damage to the vagus nerve can slow the emptying of the stomach.

the vagus nerve controls

The vagus nerve controls many automatic functions of the body.

vagus nerve response

A strong vagus nerve response can lower blood pressure suddenly.

Synonyms and how they differ

cranial nerve X

This is the formal anatomical label for the same nerve, used in textbooks rather than everyday speech.

tenth cranial nerve

This spells out the same nerve's numbered name, and is mostly found in medical writing.

Word family

vagal adjective

relating to the vagus nerve, as in a vagal response

vasovagal adjective

involving the vagus nerve and blood vessels, as in a fainting episode

nerve noun

a fiber that carries signals between the brain and the body

Commonly confused: vagus nerve or vegas?

Practice

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