Definition

The condition of being open or unobstructed, often used in medical or biological contexts.

Example

The doctor checked the patency of the blood vessels during the examination.

Conversation

Have you ever heard of the term patency?

Yeah, I think it refers to something being open or unobstructed, right?

Exactly! It's often used in biology to describe blood vessels.

That makes sense, it’s important for proper circulation.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Patency is derived from the Latin root "patens" (meaning open or accessible) and the suffix "-cy" (indicating a state or condition). The word "patency" refers to the state of being open or unobstructed, particularly in medical contexts regarding blood vessels or other passages.

Memory Tip

Think of 'open' ('patens') to remember that 'patency' means the condition of being open or unobstructed.

Visually Confused Words