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Glite Dictionary
choroid plexus

choroid plexus

9.1
A network of blood vessels in brain cavities that makes the clear fluid around the brain and spinal cord
  • noun
  • /ˈkɔːrɔɪd ˈplɛksəs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : plexo coroideo
  • The choroid plexus is responsible for producing much of the cerebrospinal fluid in the human brain.

Examples

  • Researchers study the choroid plexus to understand brain function.

  • A tumor affecting the choroid plexus can disrupt normal fluid balance in the ventricles.

  • During the procedure, the surgeon carefully avoided damaging the choroid plexus.

  • The choroid plexus is essential for producing cerebrospinal fluid.

  • The choroid plexus is crucial for producing cerebrospinal fluid in the brain's ventricles.

  • Doctors study the choroid plexus because of its role in regulating pressure within the brain.

  • Abnormalities in the choroid plexus can affect the production of cerebrospinal fluid and impact brain health.

Synonyms

plexus choroideus
vschoroid plexus
  • Specialized
9.9

A group of small blood vessels inside the brain that makes the fluid around it

is the same concept expressed with more general, nontechnical wording

Surface Forms

choroid plexus singular
choroid plexuses plural

Morphology

choroid + plexus

This is a specialist anatomical term: while 'plexus' clearly conveys 'a network of (blood) vessels', 'choroid' is a technical morpheme unlikely to be known by a B1 learner. Together they allow a partial inference (a vascular network) but not the precise sense (located in the brain ventricles and producing cerebrospinal fluid), so the meaning is only partially predictable from the parts.

Etymology

Choroid plexus comes from Greek words: choroid meant a thin membrane and plexus meant a braid or network. The name gives a clear picture of a small braided membrane of tiny blood vessels in the brain's chambers that 'makes' the fluid around the brain, so the word matches what it does.