Final answer:
A vagotomy is the surgical cutting of the vagus nerve to reduce gastric acid secretion, typically to treat peptic ulcers.
Step-by-step explanation:
The cutting of a specific nerve to reduce the secretion of gastric acid is known as a vagotomy. The term refers to the surgical removal or cutting of branches of the vagus nerve. This procedure is performed to treat peptic ulcers by reducing acid secretion in the stomach. The vagus nerve plays a significant role in the control of gastric juice production, mainly via the cephalic phase, which involves brain stimuli that activate gastric juice secretion. When part of the vagus nerve is cut, this stimulus is reduced, thereby decreasing the production of gastric acid.