vagus
Wandering cranial nerve
The vagus nerve is the tenth cranial nerve, running from the brainstem through the neck and chest to the abdomen.
It regulates involuntary functions—heart rate, digestion, breathing—and plays a central role in the parasympathetic nervous system.
Vagal stimulation can slow a racing heart.
The term comes from the Latin word for wandering, reflecting the nerve's extensive reach through the body.
Of the skull
- parasympatheticNerve system promoting rest
- afferentConveying toward central point
- efferentConveying outward from center
- ganglionPeripheral nerve cell cluster
axon · nucleus · dorsal · pharynx · larynx · esophagus · thorax · abdomen
Evoking a response
- pacemakerDevice regulating heartbeat
- epilepsyBrain disorder causing seizures
- depressionProlonged low state
- inflammationProtective tissue response
gastroparesis · vasovagal · syncope · arrhythmia · dysphagia · hoarseness · neuropathy · implant
Bodily food breakdown
- respirationGas exchange in organisms
- swallowingIngesting via throat muscles
- speechOral communication ability
- coughingForceful air expulsion reflex
salivation · lacrimation · bronchoconstriction · vasoconstriction · bradycardia · peristalsis · secretion · motility
Neurotransmitter for muscles and memory
- cholinergicAcetylcholine-mediated neural signaling
- neurotransmitterSynaptic chemical messenger
- homeostasisBiological internal stability maintenance
- neuromodulationAdjusting brain cell activity
Traveling with no fixed course
- meanderingFollowing a winding course
- ramblingLong-winded and unfocused
- peripateticGiven to wandering about
- roamingMoving without fixed purpose
cranial
Of the skull
- parasympatheticNerve system promoting rest
- afferentConveying toward central point
- efferentConveying outward from center
ganglion · axon · nucleus · dorsal · pharynx · larynx · esophagus · thorax · abdomen · brainstem
stimulation
Evoking a response
- pacemakerDevice regulating heartbeat
- epilepsyBrain disorder causing seizures
- depressionProlonged low state
inflammation · gastroparesis · vasovagal · syncope · arrhythmia · dysphagia · hoarseness · neuropathy · implant · electrode
digestion
Bodily food breakdown
- respirationGas exchange in organisms
- swallowingIngesting via throat muscles
- speechOral communication ability
coughing · salivation · lacrimation · bronchoconstriction · vasoconstriction · bradycardia · peristalsis · secretion · motility · baroreceptor
acetylcholine
Neurotransmitter for muscles and memory
- cholinergicAcetylcholine-mediated neural signaling
- neurotransmitterSynaptic chemical messenger
- homeostasisBiological internal stability maintenance
wandering
Traveling with no fixed course
- meanderingFollowing a winding course
- ramblingLong-winded and unfocused
- peripateticGiven to wandering about
roaming · wanderer · Latin · nomenclature
- cholinergic systemacetylcholine, cholinergic, choline, cholinesterase, parasympathetic
vagusspinal nerves
Paired vertebral neural branches
spinal cord · peripheral nerves · motor nerves · sensory nerves · sciatic nerve
vagussympathetic nervous system
Autonomic division activating arousal
sympathetic · fight-or-flight · adrenergic · stress response · fight-or-flight response
- vagus nerveMajor parasympathetic cranial pathway
- nouvelle vagueFrench for emerging trend
- vague intentionUnclear purpose to act
- vagabond lifeHomeless wandering existence