antegrade
|an-te-grade|
/ˈæntiɡreɪd/
forward-moving
Etymology
'antegrade' originates from Latin elements: the prefix 'ante-' meaning 'before' and a form related to Latin 'gradus' meaning 'step' or 'degree', combined in New/Modern English to mean 'moving forward'.
'antegrade' entered English as a modern (medical/technical) formation combining Latin 'ante-' + 'grade' (from 'gradus'). It has been used in medical contexts alongside or influenced by the variant 'anterograde'.
Initially built from elements meaning 'before' + 'step', it came to be used specifically to mean 'forward-moving' or 'directed forward' in anatomical and procedural contexts.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a forward-directed movement or procedure (medical usage; less common).
The surgeon chose an antegrade to restore normal flow.
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Adjective 1
moving or directed forward; proceeding in the normal or forward direction (especially of blood flow, fluid movement, or electrical conduction in biological contexts).
Antegrade flow was observed in the artery after the repair.
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Adverb 1
in a forward or normal direction; toward the front (used to describe the direction of movement or procedure).
The catheter was advanced antegrade through the vessel.
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Last updated: 2025/08/21 22:51