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Glite Dictionary
costal groove

costal groove

8.2
A groove on the inner side of a rib that holds nerves and blood vessels
  • noun
  • /ˈkɔstəl ɡruv/
  • Specialized
translation icon : surco costal
  • The doctor explained that the costal groove protects important nerves and blood vessels.

Examples

  • In anatomy class, we studied the structure of the costal groove on human ribs.

  • The costal groove houses important blood vessels.

  • An injury to the costal groove can result in serious complications.

  • Anatomy students study the costal grooves carefully.

  • In anatomy class, we studied the structure of the costal groove on human ribs.

  • An injury to the costal groove can result in serious complications.

  • The doctor explained that the costal groove protects important nerves and blood vessels.

Synonyms

groove
vscostal groove
41 3.7

A long narrow cut or channel in a surface

is specific to the inner rib channel that holds nerves and blood vessels

How Deep

costal groove
  • Specialized
8.2
groove
41 3.7
indentation
13 3.7

Surface Forms

costal groove singular
costal grooves plural

Morphology

costal + groove

The meaning is directly compositional: 'costal' = pertaining to the ribs and 'groove' = a long narrow channel, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents can infer a channel along the ribs where structures run. This follows standard English anatomical compounding and has clear parallels in other languages, making the expression transparent to learners who know the parts.

Etymology

Costal groove is made of costal and groove. Costal means 'rib' and a groove is a long, shallow channel. This shallow channel along the inner side of a 'rib' holds 'nerves' and 'blood vessels', so the name describes a place that helps protect them.