: 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
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When wheat, stress or other triggers shift the gut’s microbiome or fermentable load, the gut sends distress signals up the vagus nerve.
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New Atlas, 24 Oct. 2025
In the lab, scientists can precisely target vagus nerve fibers to control heart rate or inflammation.
—Clarissa Brincat, Popular Science, 25 Sep. 2025
However, research shows that deep belly breathing stimulates the vagus nerve, which elicits the body’s relaxation response.
—Juli Fraga, Time, 23 Sep. 2025
That brain area responds by sending signals back down the vagus nerve to the spleen.
—Jon Hamilton, NPR, 22 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for vagus nerve
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New Atlas, 24 Oct. 2025
In the lab, scientists can precisely target vagus nerve fibers to control heart rate or inflammation.
—Clarissa Brincat, Popular Science, 25 Sep. 2025
However, research shows that deep belly breathing stimulates the vagus nerve, which elicits the body’s relaxation response.
—Juli Fraga, Time, 23 Sep. 2025
That brain area responds by sending signals back down the vagus nerve to the spleen.
—Jon Hamilton, NPR, 22 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for vagus nerve
Cite this Entry
“Vagus nerve.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vagus%20nerve. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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