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Glite Dictionary
ophthalmic vein

ophthalmic vein

8.2
A vein that carries blood away from the eye into a large space near the brain
  • noun
  • /ˌɑfˈθælmɪk veɪn/
  • Specialized
translation icon : vena oftálmica
  • The ophthalmic vein carries blood from the eye.

Examples

  • Two ophthalmic veins drain blood from each eye.

  • Inflammation sometimes spreads to the ophthalmic vein, causing swelling around the eye.

  • A blood clot in the ophthalmic vein can lead to serious complications affecting vision.

  • The surgeon carefully located the ophthalmic vein during the procedure.

  • A blood clot in the ophthalmic vein can lead to serious complications affecting vision.

  • The surgeon carefully located the ophthalmic vein during the procedure.

  • Two ophthalmic veins drain blood from each eye.

Synonyms

vena ophthalmica
vsophthalmic vein
  • Specialized
9.8

A small vein that carries blood from the eye toward the base of the skull

is the same but uses the common English term rather than the Latin name
superior ophthalmic vein
vsophthalmic vein
  • Specialized
9.1

A vein that carries blood from the inner corner of the eye into a deep vein behind the eye

is the general name for either vein that drains the eye into cavernous sinus
inferior ophthalmic vein
vsophthalmic vein
  • Specialized
8.1

A vein that drains blood from the lower and inner parts of the eye socket

is the broader term for either of the two veins that drain the eye

Surface Forms

ophthalmic vein singular
ophthalmic veins plural

Morphology

ophthalmic + vein

The meaning is directly compositional: 'ophthalmic' (relating to the eye) + 'vein' (blood vessel) yields 'a vein of the eye,' which is predictable from the constituents. Although 'ophthalmic' is a technical term, the modifier+noun pattern is transparent and cross-linguistically common, so a learner who knows both words would infer the meaning.

Etymology

Ophthalmic vein comes from the parts ophthalmic (about the eye) and vein (a blood vessel), so it literally means the 'vein of the eye'. It refers to the veins that carry blood away from the eye into a larger vein inside the head, which is why doctors use this name for those specific eye veins.