vena metacarpus
- noun
- /ˈviːnə ˌmɛtəˈkɑːrpəs/
- Specialized
- Damage to the vena metacarpus can lead to swelling and impaired circulation in the hand.
Examples
-
The surgeon carefully identified the vena metacarpus during the procedure.
-
In anatomy class, students must be able to locate the vena metacarpus on a diagram of the hand.
-
The vena metacarpus is essential for blood circulation.
-
Can you identify the vena metacarpus on this diagram?
-
The surgeon carefully identified the vena metacarpus during the procedure.
-
In anatomy class, students must be able to locate the vena metacarpus on a diagram of the hand.
-
Damage to the vena metacarpus can lead to swelling and impaired circulation in the hand.
Synonyms
A vein on the back or palm of the hand that carries blood away from the middle of the hand
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning is directly compositional: 'vena' means vein and 'metacarpus' denotes the metacarpal/hand region, so the phrase denotes a vein located in the metacarpus (hand). Although specialized medical/Latin register, the semantic combination is predictable from the constituents for learners who know both words.
Etymology
Vena metacarpus comes from Latin words: vena meaning 'vein' and metacarpus meaning 'the part of the hand between the wrist and the fingers'. So the name simply pictures a 'vein' in that part of the hand, which is why it refers to a vein in the hand.