vagus

The vagus nerve.

The tenth cranial nerve. For vagus nerve,

• v. indigestion — of cattle is the result of damage to branches of the vagus nerve which supply the rumenoreticulum, or to tension receptors in the wall of the reticulum. The two identified malfunctions are pyloric achalasia and reticulo-omasal achalasia (omasal transport failure). The clinical picture includes distention of the rumen or abomasum causing visible distention of the abdomen, emaciation and the passage of small amounts of pasty feces. Ruminal motility may be increased or decreased.
• v. nerve signs — dysfunction manifested by paralysis of pharynx, larynx, causing dysphagia, regurgitation through the nose, dyspnea, hypomotility of gastrointestinal tract.
• v. nucleus — any of four nuclei within the medulla oblongata; comprises the dorsal nucleus, the nucleus ambiguus, the nucleus of the tractus solitarius and the spinal nucleus of the trigeminal nerve.

The noun has one meaning:

Meaning #1: a mixed nerve that supplies the pharynx and larynx and lungs and heart and esophagus and stomach and most of the abdominal viscera
  Synonyms: vagus nerve, nervus vagus, pneumogastric, pneumogastric nerve, tenth cranial nerve, wandering nerve