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Glite Dictionary
great saphenous vein

great saphenous vein

4.9
A long vein that runs from the foot up the leg to the groin
  • noun
  • /ɡreɪt ˈsæfɪnəs veɪn/
  • Specialized
translation icon : vena safena magna
  • The great saphenous vein is often used for coronary artery bypass grafting in heart surgery.

Examples

  • Surgeons often harvest the great saphenous vein for bypass grafting.

  • Ultrasound imaging revealed an abnormal enlargement of the patient's great saphenous vein.

  • A blood clot in the great saphenous vein can lead to serious complications if not treated promptly.

  • The great saphenous vein is essential for blood circulation.

  • A blood clot in the great saphenous vein can lead to serious complications if not treated promptly.

  • The great saphenous vein is often used for coronary artery bypass grafting in heart surgery.

  • Ultrasound imaging revealed an abnormal enlargement of the patient's great saphenous vein.

Synonyms

vein
vsgreat saphenous vein
  • Specialized
239 2.6

A tube that carries blood back to the heart

is the specific longest leg blood vessel rather than any vessel
saphenous vein
vsgreat saphenous vein
  • Specialized
2 6.8

A long blood vessel near the skin of the leg that carries blood from the foot

is the single longest superficial leg vessel rather than either of two
long saphenous vein
vsgreat saphenous vein
  • UK
6.9

A long vein that runs from the foot to the groin

is the same specific vessel joining the femoral near the groin
vena saphena
vsgreat saphenous vein
  • Specialized
9.9

A large vein close to the skin of the leg that carries blood from the foot

is the single longest superficial leg vessel not the generic pair

Surface Forms

great saphenous vein singular
great saphenous veins plural

Morphology

great + saphenous + vein

The words 'great' (large) and 'vein' (blood vessel) allow a learner to infer that this is a large vein, so the core concept is partially compositional. However, 'saphenous' is a specialized anatomical label that does not transparently indicate the specific location or role (the longest vein running from foot to groin), so the full, precise meaning is not predictable to a B1 learner.

Etymology

Great saphenous vein may come from an old word meaning 'visible' because this long vein can often be seen under the skin of the leg. Great shows it is the largest, and the name helps you remember it runs from the foot up to the groin.