Noun

1. Those organs of the body that are essential for life.
2. Those parts of a system without which it cannot function.
3. vital signs

Quotations

• 1827 Ann Hasseltine Judson - An account of the American Baptist mission to the Burman empire

  they were ripped open from the lowest to the highest extremity of the stomach, and their vitals and part of their bowels were hanging out

• 2003 David R Woodward - Trial by Friendship: Anglo-American Relations, 1917-1918

  This final victory can only be had by reaching the vitals of Germany and by destroying her armed forces.

• 1991 Suzy Szasz - Living With It: Why You Don't Have to Be Healthy to Be Happy

  At least once an hour a nurse came into the room, either to check on me or my roommate, or to take vitals