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What do the roots "phleb-" and "ven-" both mean?

User Artory
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Final answer:

The roots "phleb-" and "ven-" both relate to veins within the circulatory system, referring to blood vessels that direct blood back to the heart. These terms are used in medical language to describe various components and functions of the venous system, such as phlebology (the study of vein diseases) and venules (the smallest veins).

Step-by-step explanation:

The roots "phleb-" and "ven-" both refer to veins, which are blood vessels that carry blood toward the heart. The term phlebology refers to the medical study of veins and venous diseases, using the root "phleb-". Similarly, "ven-" is used in words like venules, which are extremely small veins, indicating its connection to the venous system.

Veins have various properties and functions within the circulatory system. They differ from arteries, as veins are thin-walled vessels with large and irregular lumens and are equipped with valves to promote unidirectional blood flow towards the heart. The smallest veins, known as venules, play a significant role in the exchange process within the circulatory system, particularly in emigration or diapedesis, where white blood cells move from the bloodstream into the tissue fluid.

User Josh Hardman
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