About
The character "腺" is a phono-semantic compound of relatively recent creation, devised to translate Western anatomical terms for "gland". Its traditional form is structurally identical to its simplified counterpart, combining the semantic component 肉 (meat, flesh), which indicates its relation to bodily tissue, with the phonetic component 泉 (spring, source), which suggests a function of fluid secretion. This constructed character emerged in East Asian medical lexicons during the period of contact with European science, providing a precise logographic representation for a biological concept that lacked a dedicated ancient character. Over time, its meaning has narrowed and stabilized exclusively to denote glands, solidifying its role in modern anatomical and medical terminology.
Example Sentences Hide
人体有很多腺体。
唾液腺分泌唾液。
甲状腺很重要。
他检查了前列腺。
乳腺健康需要关注。
腺病毒会引起感冒。
腺癌是一种恶性肿瘤。
内分泌腺调节身体机能。