vesícula biliar
/besikula biljaɾ/from spelling rules
The English phrase "gallbladder" is vesícula biliar in Spanish.
The term refers to the small organ located under the liver that stores bile.
What does it mean word for word?
The word vesícula literally means bladder or vesicle.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The term vesícula is widely used in Mexico and Colombia to refer to the gallbladder.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Be aware that vesícula can also refer to a small blister or a vesicle in a general biological context, rather than specifically the gallbladder.
Did you know?
- In Spanish, the word hiel (bile) is often used metaphorically to describe a person's bitterness or malice, as in the expression tener la hiel.
- The word vesícula is a diminutive form, meaning it literally translates to 'little bladder'.
- In some Latin American medical contexts, surgeons may refer to the removal of the vesícula as a colecistectomía, using a Greek root instead of the Latin one.
Examples in context
- Después de la chapuza de cirugía de vesícula biliar, el paciente estaba lleno de bilis, tanto figurativa como literalmente.After the botched gallbladder surgery, the patient was filled with bile, both figuratively and literally.Tatoeba #5811715 by albrusgher, translation #2337168 by AlanF_US
- El especialista me recomendó una cirugía para extirpar la vesícula biliar.The specialist recommended a surgery to remove the gallbladder.
- Me duele la vesícula cuando como alimentos grasos.My gallbladder hurts when I eat fatty foods.
- El médico revisó mi vesícula biliar.The doctor checked my gallbladder.
- Siento un dolor fuerte en la vesícula biliar.I feel a sharp pain in my gallbladder.
Example conversation
At a doctor's office, Elena describes her symptoms to Javier.
- JavierElena, ¿dónde te duele exactamente?Elena, where exactly does it hurt?
- ElenaMe duele la zona de la vesícula biliar.It hurts in the gallbladder area.
- JavierEntiendo, voy a pedirte una ecografía.I understand, I am going to order an ultrasound for you.
- ElenaGracias, doctor Javier.Thank you, Doctor Javier.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries vesícula, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
