🧠 Nerve network 🩸 Lymph vessel network

plexus lumbalis

9.9

A group of lymph vessels in the lower abdomen that drain fluid from the legs

noun
/ˈplɛksəs lʌmˈbeɪlɪs/

Specialized

: plexo linfático lumbar

Damage to the plexus lumbalis can disrupt lymphatic drainage in the lower abdomen.

Examples

Swelling in the legs can sometimes be linked to obstruction of the plexus lumbalis.
Surgeons must take care to avoid injury to the plexus lumbalis during abdominal operations.
The plexus lumbalis is crucial for lymphatic drainage.
Can you explain the function of the plexus lumbalis?
Damage to the plexus lumbalis can disrupt lymphatic drainage in the lower abdomen.
Swelling in the legs can sometimes be linked to obstruction of the plexus lumbalis.
Surgeons must take care to avoid injury to the plexus lumbalis during abdominal operations.

Surface Forms

plexus lumbalis singular

plexus lumbales plural

Morphology

plexus + lumbalis

The phrase is fully compositional: 'plexus' denotes a network and 'lumbalis' is a Latin-derived adjective meaning 'of the lumbar / lower back region', so together they denote a network in the lumbar area. This morphological logic is regular in anatomical terminology and has clear cognates in many languages, so a learner who knows both constituents can derive the meaning.

Etymology

Plexus lumbalis is also used for a group of lymph vessels and comes from Latin: plexus meaning 'network' and lumbalis meaning 'lower back'. Imagine a net of small tubes near the lower back that drain fluid from the legs and belly, which is why the name describes that lymph network.