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auricle

auricle

1 8.9
A small pouch on the upper front part of the heart that helps hold extra blood
  • noun
  • /ˈɔrɪkəl/
  • Specialized
translation icon : aurícula
  • The doctor explained that the auricle plays a crucial role in how blood circulates through the heart.

Examples

Synonyms

auricula atrii
vsauricle
  • Specialized
9.9

A small pouch that sticks out from the upper front part of a heart chamber called an atrium

has identical meaning but is written in a different form
auricular appendix
vsauricle
  • Specialized
8.6

A small pouch that sticks out from the front of a heart's upper chamber

specifies the pouch is conical rather than unspecified in shape
auricula
vsauricle
  • Specialized
9.9

A small ear-shaped pouch on the upper chamber of the heart

is conical rather than ear-shaped in form
auricular appendage
vsauricle
  • Specialized
8.0

A small ear-shaped pouch on the upper front part of each heart chamber

shows conical shape instead of an ear-like one
atrial auricle
vsauricle
  • Specialized
7.2

A small ear-shaped pouch that sticks out from each upper chamber of the heart

states it projects from the upper front rather than only from the upper part

Compounds

atrial auricle
  • Specialized
7.2

A small ear-shaped pouch that sticks out from each upper chamber of the heart

Surface Forms

auricle singular
auricles plural

Etymology

The word auricle comes from the Latin auricula, which means 'little ear' from auris 'ear'. Doctors gave the heart a part this name because the small pouch looks like a tiny ear, so auricle now also means that ear-shaped part of the heart.