labyrinthine vein
- noun
- /ˌlæbəˈrɪnˌθin veɪn/
- Specialized
- The labyrinthine vein is essential for draining blood from the structures of the inner ear.
Examples
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Damage to the labyrinthine vein can result in hearing and balance problems.
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During surgery on the temporal bone, the labyrinthine vein must be carefully preserved.
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The labyrinthine vein plays a crucial role in hearing.
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Doctors study the labyrinthine veins for signs of damage.
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Damage to the labyrinthine vein can result in hearing and balance problems.
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During surgery on the temporal bone, the labyrinthine vein must be carefully preserved.
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The labyrinthine vein is essential for draining blood from the structures of the inner ear.
Synonyms
A blood vessel that carries blood away from the inner ear
A small vein in the inner ear that drains blood
A blood vessel that takes blood away from the small balance parts inside the inner ear
A vein in the inner ear that drains blood from parts that help balance
Surface Forms
Morphology
The adjective 'labyrinthine' (relating to the inner ear) combined with 'vein' (a blood vessel) yields the straightforward meaning 'a vein in or draining the inner ear.' This is a regular adjective + noun composition and is transparently compositional, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents can derive the MWE meaning despite its technical register.
Etymology
The noun labyrinthine vein comes from labyrinthine, from the word 'labyrinth' meaning a maze, and vein, a blood tube. So the name tells us it is the vein 'that drains blood from the inner ear'.