Part of Speech: Noun
Definition: The tenth cranial nerve, which arises from the medulla oblongata and supplies parasympathetic nerve fibers to the heart and smooth muscles of the abdominal, pelvic, and thoracic viscera.
Pronunciations: US: /ˈveɪɡəs/, UK: /ˈveɪɡəs/
Origin and Usage: The word "vagus" originates from the Latin word "vāgus," which means "wandering." The nerve was so named because it wanders from the brain to various organs in the body. The vagus nerve is an important part of the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for regulating the bodys functions at rest, such as digestion and heart rate.
Synonyms: None
Related Words: Agues, Usage, Gauze, Gages, Sages
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