Vagal tone
Vagal Tone
Vagal tone (pronounced: VAY-gul tohn) refers to the activity of the vagus nerve, the tenth cranial nerve and a fundamental component of the parasympathetic nervous system. The term "vagal" is derived from the Latin word "vagus," which means "wandering." This is in reference to the path of the vagus nerve, which extends from the brain to the abdomen, wandering through various organs such as the heart and lungs.
The vagal tone is an internal biological process referring to the inhibitory control of the heart by the parasympathetic nervous system. A higher vagal tone is associated with a healthier physical and psychological well-being. It is typically measured through heart rate variability (HRV), which is the variation in the time interval between heartbeats.
Etymology
The term "vagal" comes from the Latin "vagus," which translates to "wandering" in English. This is a reference to the vagus nerve's extensive path through the body. The term "tone" in this context refers to the state of muscle tension or responsiveness in organs and tissues.
Related Terms
- Vagus Nerve: The tenth cranial nerve that interfaces with the parasympathetic control of the heart, lungs, and digestive tract.
- Parasympathetic Nervous System: One of the three divisions of the autonomic nervous system, the others being the sympathetic nervous system and the enteric nervous system.
- Heart Rate Variability (HRV): The physiological phenomenon of variation in the time interval between heartbeats. It is measured by the variation in the beat-to-beat interval.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Vagal tone
- Wikipedia's article - Vagal tone
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