arterial etymology

Etymology and Meaning of "Arterial"

The word "arterial" derives from the Latin word "arteria," which in turn originates from the Greek term "artēria" (ἀρτηρία). The Greek word originally meant "windpipe" or "air passage," referring to the trachea, which was believed to be connected to the heart.

Over time, the term "arteria" was extended to include blood vessels that carried blood away from the heart to the rest of the body. Hence, "arterial" refers to anything related to or involving arteries, namely blood vessels that convey oxygenated blood from the heart to tissues and organs.

History of the Term

The earliest known use of the term "arteria" in the context of blood vessels can be traced back to the 5th century BCE in the writings of the Greek philosopher Alcmaeon of Croton. Alcmaeon described the arteries as "ducts" that carry blood from the heart to the body.

In the 3rd century BCE, the Greek physician Herophilus further expanded on the concept of arteries and described their role in carrying blood from the heart to the body's tissues. He also distinguished between arteries and veins, recognizing that arteries carry oxygenated blood while veins return deoxygenated blood to the heart.

By the 1st century CE, the Roman physician Galen had established a comprehensive understanding of the arterial system. He believed that arteries contained pneuma (spirit) and blood and that their primary function was to distribute these substances throughout the body.

Throughout the Middle Ages, the term "arterial" continued to be used to describe blood vessels carrying blood away from the heart. However, it was not until the 17th century, with the advent of modern physiology, that the role of arteries in transporting oxygenated blood was fully understood.

arterial relate terms

  • artery

    Etymology Greek ἀρτηρία artēria windpipe or artery Meaning and Origin

  • aorta

    Etymology Greek ἀορτή aortē Meaning The main artery that carries oxygenat

  • aerate

    Etymology Latin aērāre to refresh with air Latin aër air Greek ἀήρ a

  • aeration

    Etymology Aer from Greek aēr meaning air ation from Latin atio meaning

  • aerial

    Etymology The word aerial derives from the Latin word aēr meaning air It was fir

  • aero

    Etymology The word aero is derived from the Greek word ἀήρ aer meaning air

  • aerobics

    Etymology Aerobic is derived from the Greek words aer ἀήρ meaning air b

  • aerophyte

    Etymology Aero Greek Air phyte Greek Plant Meaning An aerophyte is a plant

  • aerosol

    Etymology The word aerosol is derived from Greek aēr ἀήρ meaning air or

  • airy

    Etymology The word airy comes from the Middle English word airi which in turn deriv

  • aorta

    Etymology Greek ἀορτή aortē Meaning The main artery that carries oxygenat

  • anaerobic

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  • aria

    Etymology The name Aria has several possible etymologies Proto Iranian ariia m

  • arterial

    Etymology and Meaning of Arterial The word arterial derives from the Latin word arte

  • arterio

    Etymology Latin arteria Greek ἀρτηρία artēria meaning windpipe artery P

  • arteriosclerosis

    Etymology Arteria Latin artery Sclerosis Greek hardening Meaning Arterioscleros

  • arteriole

    Etymology Arteriole is a diminutive of artery which is derived from the Greek word artē

  • artery

    Etymology Greek ἀρτηρία artēria windpipe or artery Meaning and Origin

  • aura

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  • malaria

    Etymology The word malaria comes from the Italian phrase mala aria which means bad

  • meteor

    Etymology The word meteor is derived from the Ancient Greek word μετέωρος mete

  • aorta

    Etymology Greek ἀορτή aortē Meaning The main artery that carries oxygenat

  • intervention

    Etymology Latin intervenire to come between Inter between venire to come

  • glitch

    Etymology Originally a sudden involuntary movement of a muscle or group of muscles

  • flux

    Etymology The word flux is derived from the Latin word fluxus meaning a flowing

  • innocent

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  • pine

    Etymology The word pine is derived from the Latin word pinus which is believed to h

  • rapport

    Etymology The word rapport comes from the French word rapporter meaning to bring ba

  • transgression

    Etymology Latin transgressio a crossing over transgression transgressus having p

  • survey

    Etymology French survoir to look over oversee Meaning A method of gathering

  • boggle

    Etymology The word boggle has two etymological origins Origin 1 From the Middle En