palatine artery
- noun
- /ˈpælətɪn ˈɑːrtəri/
- Specialized
- The surgeon carefully examined the palatine artery to ensure proper blood flow to the palate.
Examples
-
During the procedure, the team monitored the palatine artery to prevent excessive bleeding.
-
The descending palatine arteries are identified and preserved.
Academic text (1999) -
A branch of the greater palatine artery penetrates the incisive foramen and reaches the septum from below.
Academic text (2007) -
Damage to the palatine artery can affect sensation in the mouth and face.
Surface Forms
Morphology
The compound is fully compositional: 'palatine' means 'relating to the palate' and 'artery' is a blood vessel, so a learner who knows both words can infer it is a blood vessel serving the palate. The modifier-noun pattern is a standard, predictable formation (and parallels exist in other languages and medical terminology), so the meaning is transparent to someone familiar with the constituents.
Etymology
Palatine artery comes from words that name the roof of the mouth (palate) and a blood vessel (artery). It literally names the vessel that brings blood to the palate, so it means 'an artery supplying blood to the palate and nearby areas'.