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Glite Dictionary
ophthalmic artery

ophthalmic artery

6.7
A blood vessel that carries blood to the eye and nearby parts
  • noun
  • /ˌɑfˈθælmɪk ˈɑrteri/
  • Specialized
translation icon : arteria oftálmica
  • The ophthalmic artery is essential for providing blood to the retina and supporting structures around the eye.

Examples

  • Preoperative angiography showed that the internal carotid artery had supplied 80% of the blood to the tumor and that the ethmoid branches of the ophthalmic artery had made a significant contribution.

    Academic text (2001)

  • Intentional embolization of the branches of the internal carotid artery may result in accidental embolization of the brain and ophthalmic artery.

    Academic text (2006)

  • Doctors monitored the flow of blood through the ophthalmic artery during the eye surgery to ensure proper circulation.

  • An obstruction in the ophthalmic artery can lead to serious vision problems if not addressed promptly.

Synonyms

arteria ophthalmica
vsophthalmic artery
  • Specialized
9.0

A blood vessel that carries blood to the eye and nearby parts

is the English term for the same artery rather than the Latin form

Surface Forms

ophthalmic artery singular
ophthalmic arteries plural

Morphology

ophthalmic + artery

The compound meaning is directly derivable from its constituents: 'ophthalmic' (related to the eye) + 'artery' (a blood vessel), so a B1 learner who knows both words can infer it denotes an artery serving the eye. Although the full anatomical detail (a branch of the internal carotid) is technical, the basic sense is transparent and compositionally predictable.

Etymology

Ophthalmic artery comes from the word ophthalmic, which means 'eye', and the word artery, which means a blood vessel. Imagine a small blood road running to the eye; that's why it means 'a blood vessel that supplies the eye and nearby parts'.