Collateral:In anatomy, a collateral refers to a secondary or subordinate component. It can also describe a side branch, such as a blood vessel or nerve. When a coronary artery becomes blocked, collateral vessels often form to reroute blood around the obstruction.The term "collateral" is derived from the Latin "col-" meaning "with" and "latus," meaning "side," signifying something situated at the side. The prefix "col-" is a variant of "com-" used before an "l," implying "with." Therefore, "collateral" means accessory, secondary, or serving to support or reinforce.In the context of being located on the side and providing support or reinforcement, there are collateral ligaments outside the knee joint. These ligaments contribute to the knee joint's stability and strength.
