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Glite Dictionary
vena saphena

vena saphena

9.9
A large vein close to the skin of the leg that carries blood from the foot
  • noun
  • /ˈviːnə səˈfiːnə/
  • Specialized
translation icon : vena safena
  • Varicose veins often affect the vena saphena, causing swelling and discomfort.

Examples

  • Surgeons often examine the vena saphena during varicose vein treatments.

  • The surgeon located the vena saphena during the procedure to ensure proper blood flow.

  • An ultrasound can help visualize the vena saphena in patients with suspected venous insufficiency.

  • The vena saphena is crucial for leg circulation.

  • An ultrasound can help visualize the vena saphena in patients with suspected venous insufficiency.

  • The surgeon located the vena saphena during the procedure to ensure proper blood flow.

  • Varicose veins often affect the vena saphena, causing swelling and discomfort.

Synonyms

saphenous vein
vsvena saphena
  • Specialized
2 6.8

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

has identical meaning but is expressed with different wording and form

Surface Forms

vena saphena singular
vena saphena plural

Morphology

vena + saphena

This is a Latin medical term rather than a compositional English phrase; although 'vena' corresponds to 'vein', 'saphena' is not a recognizable English word (undefined here) and the specific sense ‘major superficial vein of the leg’ is technical. A B1 learner who knows the given constituents would not be able to derive the precise medical meaning, so the expression is opaque.

Etymology

Vena saphena may come from an old Latin or Greek word meaning 'visible', because these large veins lie close to the skin and are easy to see, so the name points to a big vein near the surface of the leg that drains blood from the foot.