Definition

1. Noun:
   • Artery that supplies blood to the ear: The auricular artery is a blood vessel that carries oxygenated blood to the structures of the external ear and the surrounding region.

Usage

• The term "auricular artery" is used in medical, anatomical, and biological contexts to specify this particular blood vessel. It is a precise anatomical term.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The surgeon carefully avoided the auricular artery during the procedure.
  • A blockage in the auricular artery can affect blood flow to the outer ear.

Advanced Usage

• "Posterior auricular artery": A specific branch, often arising from the external carotid artery, that supplies blood to the scalp behind the ear and to the back of the outer ear.
  • The posterior auricular artery was identified on the angiogram.

Variants and Related Words

• Arteria auricularis: The Latin equivalent term used in formal anatomical nomenclature.
• Auricular (adj): Pertaining to the ear or hearing.
  • The patient reported auricular discomfort.

Synonyms

• Artery to the ear: A descriptive synonym.

Notes on Different Meanings

• The term "auricular" alone is an adjective meaning "relating to the ear." The compound noun "auricular artery" refers specifically to the anatomical blood vessel. Other arteries, such as the "occipital artery," may supply nearby regions but are distinct from the auricular artery.

Noun

1. artery that supplies blood to the ear