Avascular is spelled as /eɪvækjʊlər/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The word refers to something that lacks blood vessels. The first part of the word "a-" is a prefix which means "not" or "without." The second part "vascular" pertains to blood vessels. It is important to spell this word correctly especially in medical contexts where accuracy is crucial. Remembering the phonetic transcription can improve the ability to spell unfamiliar medical terms correctly.
Avascular is an adjective that refers to the lack or absence of blood vessels. Derived from the Latin prefix "a-" meaning "without" and the word "vascular" which pertains to blood vessels, avascular describes tissues, areas, or structures that do not possess any blood vessels for the transport of nutrients, oxygen, hormones, and other essential substances.
In the biological context, avascular can describe tissues that are not penetrated by blood vessels, such as the cornea in the eyes or cartilage in some joints. These avascular tissues rely on alternative mechanisms, such as diffusion or osmosis, to obtain necessary nutrients and to remove waste products. Due to their limited ability to repair and regenerate, avascular tissues often possess slower healing capabilities compared to vascularized tissues.
Additionally, avascular can also describe the absence of blood vessels in certain parts of an organism, like specific areas of a plant or animal. For instance, avascular zones may exist in certain regions of a plant leaf or stem, where nutrients are transported through other means, such as the xylem or phloem.
Overall, the term avascular denotes the absence or lack of blood vessels and highlights the unique adaptations and characteristics of tissues or structures that function without them.
Non-vascular, not provided with blood-vessels or lymphatics, especially the former.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "avascular" is derived from the combination of two Latin roots: "a-" and "vascularis".
The prefix "a-" in Latin means "without" or "not". It is used to negate the meaning of the following word. In this case, "a-" indicates the absence or lack of something.
The root word "vascularis" comes from the Latin word "vasculum", meaning "small vessel". It refers to blood vessels or any tubular structure that carries fluids, especially blood vessels in the context of "avascular".
By combining the prefix "a-" with the root "vascularis", the word "avascular" is formed, conveying the meaning of "without blood vessels" or "not supplied with blood vessels". It is commonly used in various medical fields to describe tissues or areas of the body that do not have a normal blood supply.