Skip to main content

Vagal Nerve

Meaning

The Vagal Nerve, or Cranial Nerve X, is the longest and most complex of the cranial nerves, serving as the primary anatomical link between the brain and the body’s major visceral organs, including the heart, lungs, and digestive tract. It is the central component of the parasympathetic nervous system, responsible for the “rest and digest” state, profoundly influencing heart rate variability, gut motility, and the inflammatory response. Its function is critical for maintaining homeostatic balance.