arteriole

noun

ar·​te·​ri·​ole är-ˈtir-ē-ˌōl How to pronounce arteriole (audio)
: any of the small terminal twigs of an artery that ends in capillaries
arteriolar adjective

Examples of arteriole in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The aorta branches into several large and medium-sized arteries that further branch into smaller arterioles. Angela Ryan Lee, Verywell Health, 1 Aug. 2024 Arteries can be thought of as a system of pipes that branch into narrower blood vessels, called arterioles, until reaching capillaries, where oxygen exchange occurs. Angela Ryan Lee, Verywell Health, 1 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French and New Latin; French artériole, borrowed from New Latin artēriola, from Latin artēria artery + -ola, diminutive suffix

First Known Use

1685, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of arteriole was in 1685

Dictionary Entries Near arteriole

Cite this Entry

“Arteriole.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/arteriole. Accessed 7 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

arteriole

noun
ar·​te·​ri·​ole är-ˈtir-ē-ˌōl How to pronounce arteriole (audio)
: a very small artery connecting a larger artery to capillaries
arteriolar adjective

Medical Definition

arteriole

noun
ar·​te·​ri·​ole är-ˈtir-ē-ˌōl How to pronounce arteriole (audio)
: any of the small terminal twigs of an artery that ends in capillaries
arteriolar adjective

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