What is "vagus nerve"

n. (context anatomy English) Either of the tenth pair of cranial nerves, which extends from the brainstem down into the abdomen. Branches of these important nerves supply the tongue, larynx, lungs, gut, and heart.

n. a mixed nerve that supplies the pharynx and larynx and lungs and heart and esophagus and stomach and most of the abdominal viscera [syn: vagus, nervus vagus, pneumogastric, pneumogastric nerve, tenth cranial nerve, wandering nerve]

The vagus nerve , historically cited as the pneumogastric nerve, is the tenth cranial nerve or CN X, and interfaces with parasympathetic control of the heart, lungs and digestive tract. The vagus nerves are paired; however, they are normally referred to in the singular. It is the longest nerve of the autonomic nervous system in the human body.