auricular appendage
- noun
- /ɔːˈrɪkjələr əˈpɛndɪdʒ/
- Specialized
:
apéndice auricular
- During heart surgery, the auricular appendage may be removed to reduce the risk of blood clots.
Examples
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Doctors used imaging to check the size of the left auricular appendage before the procedure.
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The auricular appendages play a role in regulating blood flow within the heart.
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The auricular appendage plays a crucial role in heart function.
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Doctors often examine the auricular appendages during heart surgery.
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Doctors used imaging to check the size of the left auricular appendage before the procedure.
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During heart surgery, the auricular appendage may be removed to reduce the risk of blood clots.
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The auricular appendages play a role in regulating blood flow within the heart.
Synonyms
1
8.9
A small pouch on the upper front part of the heart that helps hold extra blood
A small ear-shaped pouch on the upper chamber of the heart
A small ear-shaped pouch that sticks out from each upper chamber of the heart
A small pouch that sticks out from the front of a heart's upper chamber
A small pouch that sticks out from the upper front part of a heart chamber called an atrium
Surface Forms
Morphology
The compound's meaning follows directly from 'auricular' (pertaining to the auricle/atrium of the heart) plus 'appendage' (a projection or attachment), so the phrase denotes a projection of the auricle. Although medical/technical, the composition is predictable and a learner who knows both constituents can infer the referent.
Etymology
Auricular appendage gets its name from its shape: auricular comes from a word meaning 'little ear' and appendage means a 'small extra part'. So, it describes the small ear-shaped pouch that sticks out from the upper front part of the heart, which is why doctors check it for blood clots or sometimes remove it.