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Glite Dictionary
plexus caroticus

plexus caroticus

9.9
A group of nerves around the main artery in the neck
  • noun
  • /ˈplɛksəs kəˈrɒtɪkəs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : plexo carotídeo
  • The surgeon took care to avoid damaging the plexus caroticus during the procedure.

Examples

  • Stimulation of the plexus caroticus can result in changes to heart rate and blood pressure.

  • The anatomy text provided a detailed diagram of the plexus caroticus.

  • The plexus caroticus is crucial for regulating blood flow.

  • Researchers study the plexus caroticus for its role in headaches.

  • Stimulation of the plexus caroticus can result in changes to heart rate and blood pressure.

  • The anatomy text provided a detailed diagram of the plexus caroticus.

  • The surgeon took care to avoid damaging the plexus caroticus during the procedure.

Synonyms

carotid plexus
vsplexus caroticus
  • Specialized
8.6

A network of nerves around a main neck artery that helps control blood flow to the head and neck

is described only by its position around a major head artery not its function

Surface Forms

plexus caroticus singular
plexus caroticus plural

Morphology

plexus + caroticus

The term is compositionally transparent: 'plexus' denotes a network of nerves/vessels and 'caroticus' (= pertaining to the carotid) specifies which structure, so together they mean a network associated with the carotid artery. The medical/Latin morphology is regular and the root 'carotid' has clear cognates across many languages, so a learner who knows both constituents can derive the MWE meaning.

Etymology

Plexus caroticus comes from Latin words that mean a 'network' (plexus) around the 'carotid' artery (caroticus). Imagine a small web of nerves wrapped around the large artery in the neck. Touching it can change heart rate and blood pressure, so the name now means that group of nerves.