Vi"tals (?), n. pl. 1. Organs that are necessary for life; more especially, the heart, lungs, and brain.

2. Fig.: The part essential to the life or health of anything; as, the vitals of a state. "The vitals of the public body." Glanvill.

Vi"tals (?), n. pl. 1. Organs that are necessary for life; more especially, the heart, lungs, and brain.

2. Fig.: The part essential to the life or health of anything; as, the vitals of a state. "The vitals of the public body." Glanvill.

• those organs of the body that are essential for life
  
• (be extension) those parts of a system without which it cannot function