blood vessel: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal, medical, educational
Quick answer
What does “blood vessel” mean?
A tubular structure in the body through which blood flows, including arteries, veins, and capillaries.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A tubular structure in the body through which blood flows, including arteries, veins, and capillaries.
Metaphorically, any conduit or channel through which something vital flows; can refer to transportation routes, communication networks, or emotional sensitivity.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage; both use the same spelling and refer to the same anatomical structures.
Connotations
Identical connotations in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally frequent in medical and general contexts in both UK and US English.
Grammar
How to Use “blood vessel” in a Sentence
The [adjective] blood vessel [verb]...A blood vessel in the [body part]...Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “blood vessel” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The surgeon will need to vessel the area carefully.
- The procedure aims to re-vessel the damaged tissue.
American English
- The surgeon will need to vascularize the area carefully.
- The procedure aims to revascularize the damaged tissue.
adverb
British English
- The scan showed the tumour was blood-vessel-rich.
- The tissue was blood-vessel-dense.
American English
- The scan showed the tumor was rich in blood vessels.
- The tissue was dense with blood vessels.
adjective
British English
- She had a blood-vessel-related disorder.
- The blood-vessel wall was remarkably thin.
American English
- She had a blood vessel disorder.
- The blood vessel wall was remarkably thin.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare; might be used metaphorically: 'The pipeline is the blood vessel of our distribution network.'
Academic
Common in medical, biological, and health sciences texts.
Everyday
Used when discussing health, injuries, or visible veins/arteries.
Technical
Precise anatomical term in medicine, physiology, and biology.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “blood vessel”
- Using 'vein' or 'artery' when referring generally to all types (vein and artery are specific subtypes).
- Misspelling as 'blood vessal' or 'blood vessle'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a compound noun, written as two separate words.
Arteries carry blood away from the heart, while veins carry blood towards the heart. Both are types of blood vessels.
Yes, you can see some veins (a type of blood vessel) through your skin, especially on your wrists and hands.
Literally, it means a blood vessel ruptures. Figuratively, it means to become extremely angry or agitated.
A tubular structure in the body through which blood flows, including arteries, veins, and capillaries.
Blood vessel is usually formal, medical, educational in register.
Blood vessel: in British English it is pronounced /ˈblʌd ˌvɛsl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈblʌd ˌvɛsəl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “to have ice water in one's veins (antithetical concept)”
- “to burst a blood vessel (to become extremely angry)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'vessel' as a container or ship. Your blood vessels are the 'ships' that carry blood around your body.
Conceptual Metaphor
BODY AS A NETWORK OF ROADS/RIVERS (blood vessels as highways, capillaries as side streets).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is NOT a type of blood vessel?