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Glite Dictionary
cardinal vein

cardinal vein

9.9
A large early blood vessel in animal embryos that carries blood back to the heart
  • noun
  • /ˈkɑrdɪnəl veɪn/
  • Specialized
translation icon : vena cardinal
  • The cardinal vein is crucial in the embryonic circulatory system of vertebrates.

Examples

  • In embryology, researchers often study the formation of the cardinal vein to understand blood vessel development.

  • Disruption of a cardinal vein during development can lead to severe vascular anomalies.

  • The cardinal vein plays a crucial role in embryonic development.

  • During early stages, the cardinal veins are essential for blood circulation.

  • Disruption of a cardinal vein during development can lead to severe vascular anomalies.

  • In embryology, researchers often study the formation of the cardinal vein to understand blood vessel development.

  • The cardinal vein is crucial in the embryonic circulatory system of vertebrates.

Surface Forms

cardinal vein singular
cardinal veins plural

Morphology

cardinal + vein

The phrase is directly compositional: 'cardinal' (primary, main) + 'vein' (blood vessel) yields the interpretable sense 'a main or major vein.' Although in biology it denotes specific embryonic venous channels, the core meaning is predictable from the constituents, so a B1 learner who knows both words would grasp the general sense.

Etymology

Cardinal vein: The name cardinal vein comes from cardinal meaning 'main' and vein meaning a blood vessel. In early development these veins act like a main road that brings blood back to the heart, so the name means 'the main embryonic vein'.