vaga-, vag-, vago-

The surgical elimination of the long nerve connected from his brain and his throat: The doctor performed a vagolysis in order to improve the swallowing problems that Tom was experiencing from the damage caused by an infection of his vagus nerve.

1. Concerning the surgical eradication of the cord that conveys impulses between the brain and other parts of the body: After the vagolytic operation, the patient is given fluids intravenously (by infusion into a vein) until the gastrointestinal tract can accept swallowed fluids.
2. An agent, surgical or chemical, that prevents the function of the nerve from the head to another part of the body: The vagolytic nerve refers to either of the tenth and longest of the cranial nerves, passing through the neck and thorax into the abdomen and supplying sensations to part of the ear, the tongue, the larynx, and the pharynx; as well as, motor impulses to the vocal cords, and motor and secretion impulses to the abdominal and chest organs.

A reference to an action caused by the stimulation of fibers in the vagus nerve: The vibrations of the instrument the medical technician was using caused a vagomimetic response in Susan's tongue.

The cervical sympathetic (the system that controls many involuntary activities of the body) and the bundle of nerves considered together: The medical technician was checking to see if the vagosympathetic nerves were causing Tim's pain because there are times when these fibers do not function properly and so they can cause pain on either side of a person's body and, determining what is causing the problem, will help the physician decide what the best treatment should be.

To perform a surgical division of the cranial nerve: It was necessary to vagotomize Bill's vagus nerve in order to diminish his excessive gastric acidity.

Referring to a person or animal whose vagus nerves have been severed for therapeutic or experimental purposes: The vagotomized nerve is one treatment for a sore in the lining of the esophagus, stomach, or duodenum.

An operation in which the nerve that controls the production of digestive acid by the stomach lining is cut to treat a defect in the lining of the stomach or the first part of the small intestine, an area called the duodenum: If a peptic ulcer is associated with the obstruction of the outlet of the stomach, or if there is a hemorrhage or a perforation, a vagotomy is necessary to cut the vagus nerve, which will reduce the production of acid at its source.

After the vagotomy, Cindy was given fluids intravenously (by infusion into a vein) until her gastrointestinal tract could accept swallowed fluids.

1. Hyperexcitability of the tenth cranial (head) nerve, producing bradycardia (decreased heart output), and faintness: Mildred's vagotonia resulted in over activity or irritability of her vagus nerve, which adversely affected the function of her blood vessels, stomach, and muscles.
2. A condition in which the vagus nerve dominates the general functioning of the body organs: Manfred's vagotonia was marked by vasomotor (the nerves and muscles that cause blood vessels to constrict or to dilate), instability, constipation, sweating, and involuntary motor spasms with pain.

A descriptive term for a pathological condition in which a special nerve in the brain affects various bodily functions which are controlled by this nerve: Christopher was informed that the constipation from which he suffered was caused by a very vagotonic condition of his vagus nerve.

An abnormal increase in parasympathetic activity caused by stimulation of one of the brain nerves; especially, bradycardia with decreased cardiac output, dizziness, and syncope (partial or complete loss of consciousness): The vagotonus condition takes place in some women after the surgical treatment or simple manipulation of the uterine cervix (the neck-like opening to the uterus).

Primarily a reference to a drug that affects or acts on the tenth nerve from the brain: The pharmaceutical company announced a new vagotropic medication for use in hospitals for treating the vagus nerve.

An affinity for the vagus nerve; such as, a drug: The use of the new medication brought about a satisfactory vagotropism for Sarah's condition.

Relating to a process that utilizes both afferent (moving inward or toward a part) and efferent (moving outward or away from a part) fibers of one of the primary sensory nerves: The delicate vagovagal surgery was performed on the patient in order to improve her functions or impulses and responses for the various parts of her body.

1. A situation that involves rambling from place to place: During the Great Depression, the rate of vagrancy among displaced persons was of concern to social service providers.
2. Having no permanent home or means of livelihood: Because of Janet's vagrancy, she was unable to obtain a health certificate in order to go to the doctor.

The current economic situations in many countries have resulted in an increase in unemployment and more vagrancy among people.

1. A roamer who has no permanent place to live: During the very cold conditions of the winter, Rufus, the vagrant, sought protection in a shelter for homeless people.
2. Those who never stay in one place for very long: Traveling in caravans, Dudley and the other vagrants moved from one place to another one.
3. Anyone who is guilty of the legal offense of living on the streets and, in some jurisdictions, begging: The police arrested Zelda, the vagrant, for the night because she was observed begging on the streets.