vagal

IPA/ˈveɪ.ɡəl/
IPA/ˈveɪ.ɡəl/

vagal — adjective

  • vagalpositive
  • more vagalcomparative
  • most vagalsuperlative

1. connected with the vagus nerve — the long nerve that runs from the lower part of

1.adjectiveC2
Definition

connected with the vagus nerve — the long nerve that runs from the lower part of the brain down through the neck and chest to the stomach, carrying signals between the brain and many important internal organs such as the heart and lungs.

Example

A vagal response made Hoa dizzy when the doctor pressed her neck during the check-up.

collocation: vagal response — a physical reaction caused by the vagus nerve

The nurse said that slow, deep breathing stimulates vagal activity and lowers a rapid heart rate.

collocation: vagal activity — the nerve's effect on the body

Common collocations
  • vagal response
  • vagal reaction
  • vagal tone
  • vagal stimulation
  • vagal activity
  • vagal nerve

Usage Note

Used almost exclusively in medical and physiological contexts. Typically appears before a noun — common collocates are 'response', 'reaction', 'tone', 'stimulation', and 'activity'. Not used in everyday conversation without a medical topic.

Common Mistakes

The doctor checked my vegal nerve.
The doctor checked my vagal nerve.
The correct spelling is vagal, not vegal.
I have a vagal problem.
I have a problem with my vagus nerve.
'Vagal' is an adjective, not a noun. The nerve itself is called the 'vagus nerve'.

Word family

  • vagus
    nounC2

Common collocations

Nouns

Etymology

LatinEnglish

Derived from Latin 'vagus' (meaning 'wandering'), because the vagus nerve travels a long, winding path from the brainstem through the neck and chest to the abdomen — hence its name 'the wandering nerve'. The suffix '-al' turns the noun into an adjective meaning 'relating to'. The term entered English medical vocabulary in the 19th century.

First known use

1854

1854, in the meaning defined above