David Tracey, PhD Dec 19, 2010:

lirka, my point is just that "Körperstamm" is much more commonly used than "Stammgefäß", so "Körperstammefäße" is more likely to mean 'trunk vessels' than 'body major arteries'. Why would one need 'body' if referring to 'major arteries'? But the formulation could certainly be clearer!

Lirka (asker) Dec 19, 2010:

Yes, David, that's the problem :) It's rather strangely formulated. Thanks for your help

David Tracey, PhD Dec 19, 2010:

The term "Stammgefäß" is not in common use.

Lirka (asker) Dec 19, 2010:

I agree with you, MMUlr! I am thinking of simply going with 'major arteries'. What do you all think?

MMUlr Dec 19, 2010:

Körperstammgefäße = arteries (?) ... rather than lymphatic vessels; this was my first idea when reading the question.

see this German ref. text: http://www.radiologiebadaibling.de/i_aerzte.html (find -> Körperstammgefäße, i.e., Aorta thoracalis, Aorta abdominalis, renal arteries).

IF lymphatic vessels are meant, then "trunk vessels" is the correct expression, however, if arteries are meant, then we should use EN -> "major blood vessels" (... of the trunk) - or similar. Then also "trunk blood vessels" is possible - to differentiate from lymphatic vessels.

cf "major vessels": http://faculty.orangecoastcollege.edu/happ/presentations/BIO... (slide 52 of 99)