obturator vein

7.9

A blood vessel that carries blood from the hip and thigh to a large vein inside the pelvis

noun
/ˈɑːbtəˌreɪtər veɪn/

Specialized

: vena obturatoria

The obturator vein plays a crucial role in draining blood from the thigh muscles.

Examples

Surgeons must be careful not to damage the obturator vein during hip surgery.
During the surgery, the doctor identified the obturator vein to prevent accidental bleeding.
An injury near the pelvis can sometimes damage the obturator vein and cause internal bleeding.
The obturator vein plays a crucial role in blood circulation.
An injury near the pelvis can sometimes damage the obturator vein and cause internal bleeding.
During the surgery, the doctor identified the obturator vein to prevent accidental bleeding.
Surgeons must be careful not to damage the obturator vein during hip surgery.

Synonyms

vena obturatoria

vsobturator vein

Specialized

9.9

A vein that carries blood from the inner thigh into a large vein in the pelvis

is the English name for the same vessel rather than the Latin form

Surface Forms

obturator vein singular

obturator veins plural

Morphology

obturator + vein

Although 'obturator' is a technical anatomical term (and missing from the given dictionary entry), the phrase is a straightforward modifier + noun compound naming a specific vein. If a B1 learner knows the constituent words (i.e. understands 'obturator' as relating to the obturator region/structure and 'vein' as a blood vessel), the overall meaning is compositional and directly inferable as the vein serving that region.

Etymology

Obturator vein is named after the place it runs: a small hole in the hip that the vein passes through. The word obturator comes from a Latin word meaning 'to close' because that hole is partly closed, so the name helps you remember this vein carries blood away from the thigh.