artery
n. countablen. a tube in your body that carries blood away from your heart to your other parts. It can also mean a very important road or path used for travel.
n. a muscular-walled tube forming part of the circulation system by which blood is conveyed from the heart to all parts of the body. In a metaphorical sense, refers to a major route in a transport network.
The main artery carries oxygen-rich blood to the brain.
The city's main artery was blocked for hours following a major accident during the morning rush.
Surgeons worked quickly to repair the damaged artery, knowing that any significant interruption in blood flow could lead to permanent tissue necrosis.
Late Middle English arterie, borrowing from Old French artaire and Latin artēria (“a windpipe; an artery”), from Ancient Greek ᾰ̓ρτηρῐ́ᾱ (ărtērĭ́ā, “windpipe; artery”).
Commonly used in medical contexts or as a metaphor for vital infrastructure like highways and railways.