superior labial vein

6.3

A blood vessel that carries blood from the upper lip

noun
/suːˈpɪəriər ˈleɪbiəl veɪn/

Specialized

: vena labial superior

The superior labial vein drains blood from the upper lip.

Examples

During facial surgery, care must be taken not to damage the superior labial vein.
Many students learn about the superior labial veins in anatomy class.
A clot in the superior labial vein can lead to noticeable swelling of the upper lip.
The superior labial vein is responsible for draining blood from the upper lip area.
A clot in the superior labial vein can lead to noticeable swelling of the upper lip.
During facial surgery, care must be taken not to damage the superior labial vein.
The superior labial vein is responsible for draining blood from the upper lip area.

Synonyms

vena labialis superior

vssuperior labial vein

Specialized

9.3

A vein that carries blood away from the upper lip

is the common English anatomical name rather than the Latin term

Surface Forms

superior labial vein singular

superior labial veins plural

Morphology

superior + labial + vein

The meaning 'a vein that drains blood from the upper lip' is directly and compositionally derived from 'superior' (upper), 'labial' (relating to the lip), and 'vein' (a blood vessel). This is a straightforward anatomical naming pattern (e.g., 'upper labial vein' / 'vena labialis superior' in other languages), so a learner who knows the constituents will readily infer the MWE meaning.

Etymology

The noun superior labial vein is made of superior meaning 'upper', labial meaning 'lip', and vein meaning a tube that carries blood. So it means the vein that drains blood from the upper lip.