Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

foramen ovale

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: 1.81 in modern English

Syllables: fora-men o-vale
IPA

20

Scrabble Score

12

Letters

3

Syllables

9

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

An opening in the septum between the right and left atria of the fetal heart that normally closes after birth.

Example Sentences

"The second point, as urged by Dr. Norman Chevere, "That a closed foramen ovale is not a proof in jurisprudence that a child has lived;" for in this case the occlusion must have existed long before birth."
"If the blood entering the right atrium from the great veins contains more emboli, some of these may pass into the left atrium by way of the incompletely closed channel at the foramen ovale."
"Thus in those conditions associated with obstruction to the right side of the heart, such as tricuspid atresia or pulmonary atresia with intactventricular^([sic]) septum, the foramen ovale is necessary to provide systemic blood flow."

Etymology

Latin for "egg-shaped hole".

Inflected Forms

foramen ovales (plural)

Phrases

patent foramen ovale hole in the heart

Frequently Paired Words

hole in the heart

Questions

What does foramen ovale mean?: An opening in the septum between the right and left atria of the fetal heart that normally closes after birth.
Where does foramen ovale come from?: Latin for "egg-shaped hole".

How to pronounce foramen ovale

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