artery

The French word 'artère' refers to the blood vessels that carry oxygenated blood away from the heart to the body's tissues. In a medical context, 'artère' is used similarly to its English counterpart to describe the vital role these vessels play in the circulatory system. It can also be used in a metaphorical sense to describe things that are fundamental or essential to a process, akin to how arteries are essential for bodily functions.