An artery is a vital blood vessel that transports oxygenated blood away from the heart to the rest of the body.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Artery: blood vessel carrying blood away from the heart.
- Thicker, more elastic walls to handle high pressure.
- Part of the circulatory system, vital for oxygen transport.
Overview
动脉（dòngmài）是人体循环系统中的重要组成部分，属于血管的一种。它的主要功能是将富含氧气和营养物质的血液从心脏泵出，输送到全身各个器官和组织。动脉的管壁通常比静脉厚且富有弹性，能够承受心脏搏动带来的高血压。动脉系统的起点是主动脉，它是人体最大的动脉，然后分支成越来越小的动脉，最终到达身体的各个末梢。
在日常语境中，“动脉”这个词主要用于医学和生理学相关的话题。它很少单独使用，通常会与具体的动脉名称（如“颈动脉”、“股动脉”）或其功能（如“输送血液”）一起出现。在描述健康状况或疾病时，也经常会提到动脉，例如“动脉粥样硬化”或“动脉堵塞”。
**比喻用法**：有时也用于比喻，形容事物发展的重要通道或命脉。例如：“这条高速公路是这个地区的经济动脉。”
与“动脉”最常一起提及的相对词是“静脉”（jìngmài）。静脉负责将血液从身体各处送回心脏，通常血压较低，管壁也较薄。两者共同构成了人体的血液循环系统。另一个相关的词是“血管”（xuèguǎn），这是一个总称，包括动脉、静脉和毛细血管。
Examples
心脏通过主动脉将富氧血液泵送到全身。
academicThe heart pumps oxygen-rich blood to the entire body through the aorta.
医生检查了他的颈动脉，确认没有异常。
medicalThe doctor checked his carotid artery and confirmed there were no abnormalities.
这条新修的公路被誉为连接城乡的经济动脉。
metaphoricalThis newly built highway is hailed as the economic artery connecting urban and rural areas.
吸烟会损害你的动脉。
health warningSmoking can damage your arteries.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
动脉血
arterial blood
动脉粥样硬化
atherosclerosis
动脉瘤
aneurysm
Often Confused With
Arteries carry blood away from the heart, usually oxygenated (except pulmonary artery), under high pressure. Veins carry blood towards the heart, usually deoxygenated (except pulmonary vein), under lower pressure. Veins have valves to prevent backflow, while arteries generally do not.
Vascular is a general term for any vessel that carries fluid. Arteries and veins are specific types of blood vessels. So, 'artery' is a type of 'blood vessel', but not all blood vessels are arteries.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
The term 'artery' is primarily used in medical, biological, and physiological contexts. It can also be used metaphorically to describe a vital route or lifeline for transport or development. Its usage is generally formal or neutral.
Common Mistakes
Confusing arteries with veins is common. Remember arteries carry blood AWAY from the heart, and veins carry blood TOWARDS the heart. Also, avoid using 'artery' casually in non-medical contexts unless the metaphorical meaning is clear.
Tips
Remember Artery = Away from Heart
Think of 'Artery' starting with 'A' like 'Away'. Arteries carry blood away from the heart.
Pressure in Arteries
Be aware that arteries carry blood under high pressure, making them susceptible to damage if conditions like high blood pressure persist.
Metaphorical Arteries
In Chinese culture, like in English, 'arteries' can metaphorically represent essential lifelines or main routes for development, such as economic or communication arteries.
Word Origin
The word 'artery' comes from the Greek word 'arteria', which originally meant 'windpipe' or 'air tube', reflecting an ancient, incorrect belief that these vessels carried air.
Cultural Context
In Chinese, '动脉' can be used metaphorically to signify a crucial channel for economic activity or development, similar to how 'lifeline' or 'main artery' is used in English to describe important routes.
Memory Tip
Picture an 'A' for Artery, standing for 'Away' from the heart. Imagine the strong, thick walls needed to push blood far and fast.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions动脉负责将血液从心脏输送到身体各处，管壁厚且弹性好，承受高压。静脉则负责将血液从身体各处送回心脏，管壁较薄，血压较低。
因为动脉需要承受心脏泵血时产生的高压，厚而有弹性的管壁能够适应这种压力变化，并确保血液顺畅流动。
在日常生活中，“动脉”这个词相对专业，主要在谈论健康、医学或生理知识时使用。但它也可以用于比喻，形容重要的通道或命脉。
例如，在医学语境中可以说“冠状动脉是心脏的生命线”；在比喻意义上可以说“信息高速公路是现代社会的经济动脉”。
Test Yourself
心脏将血液通过______泵入全身。
动脉负责将血液从心脏输送到身体其他部分。
以下哪个选项描述了动脉的主要特征？
动脉的管壁比静脉厚且富有弹性，能够承受心脏泵血带来的高压。
组成句子：身体 / 动脉 / 血液 / 输送 / 到
这是一个描述动脉基本功能的完整句子。
Score: /3
Summary
An artery is a vital blood vessel that transports oxygenated blood away from the heart to the rest of the body.
- Artery: blood vessel carrying blood away from the heart.
- Thicker, more elastic walls to handle high pressure.
- Part of the circulatory system, vital for oxygen transport.
Remember Artery = Away from Heart
Think of 'Artery' starting with 'A' like 'Away'. Arteries carry blood away from the heart.
Pressure in Arteries
Be aware that arteries carry blood under high pressure, making them susceptible to damage if conditions like high blood pressure persist.
Metaphorical Arteries
In Chinese culture, like in English, 'arteries' can metaphorically represent essential lifelines or main routes for development, such as economic or communication arteries.
Examples
4 of 4心脏通过主动脉将富氧血液泵送到全身。
The heart pumps oxygen-rich blood to the entire body through the aorta.
医生检查了他的颈动脉，确认没有异常。
The doctor checked his carotid artery and confirmed there were no abnormalities.
这条新修的公路被誉为连接城乡的经济动脉。
This newly built highway is hailed as the economic artery connecting urban and rural areas.
吸烟会损害你的动脉。
Smoking can damage your arteries.
