REFERENCE
taVNS Glossary
Concise definitions for terms used in auricular vagus nerve stimulation and research.
ABVN
Auricular branch of the vagus nerve.
Cavum conchae
Lower bowl of the concha near the ear canal.
Cymba conchae
Upper portion of the concha.
Duty cycle
Relationship between active stimulation and inactive periods.
Frequency
Number of cycles or pulses per second.
HRV
Heart rate variability; interpretation depends on method and context.
PPG
Optical observation of blood-volume changes.
Pulse width
Duration of an individual electrical pulse.
Sham stimulation
A defined comparison condition resembling active stimulation.
taVNS
Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation.
Tragus
Projection of cartilage in front of the ear canal.
VNS
A broad term covering implanted and non-invasive approaches.