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Glite Dictionary
parotid vein

parotid vein

7.4
Vein near the ear that carries blood from the gland that makes saliva to a larger vein
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : vena parótida
  • The parotid vein helps drain blood from the parotid gland into the retromandibular vein.

Examples

  • During surgery on the parotid gland, care must be taken to avoid damaging the parotid vein.

  • Inflammation in the area can sometimes affect the parotid vein and cause swelling.

  • The parotid vein carries blood from the gland.

  • Doctors often examine the parotid veins during surgery.

  • During surgery on the parotid gland, care must be taken to avoid damaging the parotid vein.

  • Inflammation in the area can sometimes affect the parotid vein and cause swelling.

  • The parotid vein helps drain blood from the parotid gland into the retromandibular vein.

Surface Forms

parotid vein singular
parotid veins plural

Morphology

parotid + vein

This is a straightforward anatomical compound: 'parotid' (relating to the parotid salivary gland) + 'vein' (a blood vessel) yields the vein associated with or draining the parotid gland. The compositional logic is literal and common in medical terms and cross-linguistically, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents can infer the meaning.

Etymology

Parotid vein simply names the vein next to the parotid 'gland' in front of the ear. Because a vein 'drains blood', the name means the vessel that carries blood away from that gland, which is why doctors use the term when they talk about surgery or swelling.