central artery of the retina

5.7

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

noun

Specialized

: arteria central de la retina

Blockage of the central artery of the retina can lead to sudden vision loss.

Examples

The ophthalmologist examined the flow in the central artery of the retina.
A healthy central artery of the retina is crucial for maintaining proper vision.
The central artery of the retina is crucial for vision.
Can you explain the role of the central artery of the retina?
Blockage of the central artery of the retina can lead to sudden vision loss.
A healthy central artery of the retina is crucial for maintaining proper vision.
The ophthalmologist examined the flow in the central artery of the retina.

Synonyms

arteria centralis retinae

vscentral artery of the retina

Specialized

9.2

A small blood vessel that enters the eye with the optic nerve and gives blood to the retina

is the same term but expressed in English rather than Latin

Surface Forms

central artery of the retina singular

central arteries of the retina plural

Morphology

central + artery + of + the + retina

The phrase is fully compositional: 'central' (in the middle/main), 'artery' (blood vessel), and 'of the retina' (belonging to the retina) combine to indicate the main blood vessel serving the retina. Although it is a technical anatomical term with more specific clinical details, its basic meaning is directly derivable from the constituent words and would be understandable to a B1 learner who knows those words.

Etymology

Central artery of the retina literally names the main blood vessel that runs into the back of the eye next to the optic nerve, with central meaning 'main', artery meaning 'blood vessel', and retina meaning 'the eye's light-sensitive layer'. Think of it as the eye's main 'highway' that brings blood and oxygen to the retina, which is why a blockage can cause sudden vision loss.