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artery

artery

195 2.7
A blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart to other parts of the body
  • noun
  • /ˈɑːrtəri/
  • Specialized
translation icon : arteria
  • High levels of cholesterol can lead to blockages in the arteries and increase the risk of heart disease.
  • coronary artery
  • carotid artery
  • artery spasm

And it's supplied by two arteries, posterior spinal on the backside.

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Examples

  • A narrowing of the arteries from the heart.

  • This is how much pressure your blood puts onto your artery walls when the heart beats.

  • Because we want to get, make sure we get that nice brachial artery right on the good part.

  • When this happens to arteries in the heart, it causes angina and heart attacks.

    Academic text (2012)
  • There was blockage in an artery, but it's all been dissolved, so he's fine.

  • Bernard remained convinced that his arteries were causing his leg pain and was keen on surgical intervention.

    Academic text (2012)
  • Crucially, this includes the coronary arteries, which supply oxygen to the heart muscle.

    Academic text (2012)
  • The surgeon needed to repair a damaged artery before the operation could proceed.

  • The doctor explained that the aorta is the largest artery in the body, carrying blood from the heart to the rest of the system.

Synonyms

arterial blood vessel
vsartery
  • Specialized
3.6

A blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart to the body

is the single word term used instead of the longer descriptive phrase

Antonyms

vein
  • Specialized
239 2.6

A tube that carries blood back to the heart

Compounds

carotid artery
  • Specialized
15 3.8

A large blood vessel in the neck that carries blood to the head and brain

coronary artery
  • Specialized
14 3.9

An artery that carries blood to the heart muscle

femoral artery
  • Specialized
9 3.8

A large blood vessel in the thigh that carries blood to the leg

6 3.3

Arteries that bring blood to the heart become narrow or blocked by cholesterol and fat

pulmonary artery
  • Specialized
5 3.6

A blood vessel that carries blood low in oxygen from the heart's right side to the lungs to get oxygen

subclavian artery
  • Specialized
3 6.5

A large blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to the arm, shoulder and neck

renal artery
  • Specialized
3 4.5

A blood vessel that carries blood to a kidney

mesenteric artery
  • Specialized
2 5.8

A large blood vessel that carries blood from the aorta to the intestines through the mesentery

brachial artery
  • Specialized
2 5.1

A large blood vessel in the upper arm where you can feel the pulse

cerebral artery
  • Specialized
1 5.1

A blood vessel that carries blood to parts of the brain

basilar artery
  • Specialized
1 7.1

A blood vessel at the base of the brain that carries blood to the brainstem, cerebellum and inner ear

hepatic artery
  • Specialized
1 4.8

A blood vessel that carries blood to the liver

iliac artery
  • Specialized
1 5.1

One of two large blood vessels in the lower belly that carries blood to the pelvis and legs

radial artery
  • Specialized
1 5.3

A blood vessel that runs down the forearm to the wrist and is used to feel the pulse

1 7.0

A large blood vessel from the aorta that sends blood to the small intestine and part of the colon

uterine artery
  • Specialized
1 5.2

A blood vessel that carries blood to the uterus and upper part of the vagina

vertebral artery
  • Specialized
1 6.2

A blood vessel that runs through the neck bones to the brain and spinal cord

1 4.6

A surgery that uses a healthy blood vessel to go around a blocked heart artery and restore blood flow

1 7.6

A large artery in the brain that gives blood to much of the outer brain

right coronary artery
  • Specialized
1 4.1

A blood vessel that carries blood to the right side of the heart

temporal artery
  • Specialized
1 6.8

A blood vessel on the side of the head that carries blood to the temple and scalp

splenic artery
  • Specialized
1 5.2

A blood vessel that carries blood to the spleen

cerebellar artery
  • Specialized
1 4.3

An artery that carries blood to the part of the brain that controls movement and balance

cervical artery
  • Specialized
1 6.0

A blood vessel that carries blood to the muscles of the neck

communicating artery
  • Specialized
1 6.8

A blood vessel in the brain that links major blood vessels to keep blood flowing

common carotid artery
  • Specialized
1 3.3

A large blood vessel on each side of the neck that carries blood to the head and brain

common iliac artery
  • Specialized
1 4.6

A large blood vessel from the main vessel in the belly that sends blood to the hips and legs

cystic artery
  • Specialized
1 5.7

A blood vessel from the main liver vessel that brings blood to the gallbladder and liver surface

digital artery
  • Specialized
1 6.3

A blood vessel that carries blood to a finger or toe

facial artery
  • Specialized
1 5.1

A blood vessel that carries blood to the face and neck

external iliac artery
  • Specialized
1 5.9

A large blood vessel on each side of the lower abdomen that carries blood to the leg

left coronary artery
  • Specialized
1 4.2

Main artery from the aorta that gives blood to the left side of the heart

maxillary artery
  • Specialized
1 5.5

A blood vessel from the side of the neck that supplies blood to the face, jaw and mouth

meningeal artery
  • Specialized
1 7.0

A blood vessel that carries blood to the coverings of the brain and nearby areas

1 7.0

A blood vessel inside the skull that carries blood to the coverings of the brain

1 6.1

A blood vessel that supplies the lower part of the cerebellum

1 7.2

A blood vessel that branches from the lower main blood vessel in the belly to supply the large intestine

intercostal artery
  • Specialized
1 6.1

A blood vessel that runs between the ribs and gives blood to chest muscles and skin

1 4.5

A large blood vessel that carries blood to the brain and eyes

ovarian artery
  • Specialized
1 4.1

A blood vessel that carries blood to the ovaries

popliteal artery
  • Specialized
1 7.2

A large blood vessel behind the knee that carries blood to the lower leg and foot

1 6.7

A blood vessel that carries blood to the back part of the brain

bronchial artery
  • Specialized
4.1

A small blood vessel that carries blood to the airways and other parts of the lungs

buccal artery
  • Specialized
6.5

A blood vessel that brings blood to the cheek muscle

capillary artery
  • Specialized
6.0

A very small thin blood vessel that carries blood into tiny vessels in the tissues

celiac artery
  • Specialized
6.4

A large blood vessel in the belly that carries blood to the stomach, liver, and spleen

An artery that enters the eye beside the optic nerve and brings blood to the retina

circumflex artery
  • Specialized
6.8

A blood vessel that curves around a body part, especially the heart

A blood vessel that carries blood to the hip joint and thigh muscles

7.9

An artery in the shoulder that gives blood to the shoulder joint and nearby muscles

8.0

A blood vessel in the lower belly that carries blood to the skin and a nearby thigh muscle

7.7

A blood vessel that gives blood to the muscles near the shoulder blade

choroidal artery
  • Specialized
8.1

An artery that brings blood to the choroid plexus, the part of the brain that makes fluid

ciliary artery
  • Specialized
7.4

A blood vessel that carries blood to the middle layer at the back of the eye

colic artery
  • Specialized
7.1

A blood vessel that carries blood to the large intestine

epigastric artery
  • Specialized
6.5

A blood vessel that carries blood to the front of the belly

angular artery
  • Specialized
8.1

A small blood vessel at the side of the nose that carries blood to the lower eyelid

7.2

A blood vessel on each side that carries blood to the front part of the brain

7.1

A small artery that brings blood to the protective membranes at the front of the skull

6.2

A small artery that brings blood to the front of the brain near the temple

alveolar artery
  • Specialized
7.3

An artery that brings blood to the teeth and gums of the jaw

7.9

A small blood vessel that carries blood to the inner ear

8.8

A blood vessel that supplies blood to the bulb of the penis

A small blood vessel that carries blood to the bulb near the female genital opening

ascending artery
  • Specialized
6.4

A blood vessel that carries blood to the ascending colon of the large intestine

appendicular artery
  • Specialized
7.5

A small blood vessel that carries blood to the appendix

arcuate artery
  • Specialized
8.3

A curved blood vessel in the foot that forms an arch and carries blood to the toes

A curved artery at the border between the kidney's outer and inner parts that supplies blood to the kidney

atrial artery
  • Specialized
5.9

A small blood vessel that carries blood to the upper chambers of the heart

auricular artery
  • Specialized
7.0

A blood vessel that carries blood to the ear

axillary artery
  • Specialized
6.5

A large blood vessel that passes through the armpit and carries blood to the arm

ethmoidal artery
  • Specialized
7.9

A blood vessel from the artery near the eye that supplies blood to the nose and ethmoid bone

4.6

A blood vessel that carries blood from the neck to the face, tongue, and outer parts of the head

How Large

aorta
  • Specialized
41 4.8
artery
  • Specialized
195 2.7
arteriole
  • Specialized
1 7.7

Surface Forms

artery singular
arteries plural

Etymology

Artery comes from the old Greek word arteria, which originally meant 'windpipe' because people long ago thought these tubes carried air, not blood. That's why an artery is a tube that carries blood away from the heart.