azygous vein

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Azygous Vein

Definition:
The "azygous vein" is a special blood vessel in your body. It is part of a system of veins that helps drain (remove) blood from the walls of the chest (thorax) and the abdomen (belly). It starts from a vein in the lower back (right ascending lumbar vein) and ends by connecting to a large vein called the superior vena cava, which carries blood to the heart.

Advanced Usage:

In advanced medical discussions, you might hear about the function of the azygous vein in relation to conditions like thoracic outlet syndrome or in the context of venous drainage patterns during surgery.

Word Variants:

• Azygos (adjective): Refers to something that is singular or not paired. In anatomy, it describes structures that are unpaired, like the azygous vein itself.

Different Meaning:

• In some contexts, "azygous" can simply mean "unpaired" or "single," such as in various biological or anatomical descriptions.

Synonyms:

• There aren't direct synonyms for "azygous vein" since it's a specific anatomical term, but you can refer to it as part of the "venous system" or "blood vessels" when discussing it in a broader sense.

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

There are no common idioms or phrasal verbs specifically related to "azygous vein," as it is a technical term used in anatomy.

Summary:

The azygous vein is an important part of your body's system for carrying blood.

Academic

Noun

1. one of a system of veins that drain the thoracic and abdominal walls; arises as a continuation of the right ascending lumbar vein and terminates in the superior vena cava

Synonyms

• azygos vein
• vena azygos