- probe p. (of foramen ovale), a term introduced by B.M. Patten to cover incomplete fibrous adhesion of an adequate valvula foraminis ovalis in the postnatal closure of the foramen ovale.
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pa·ten·cy 'pat-ən-sē, 'pāt- n, pl -cies the quality or state of being open or unobstructed <evaluating arterial \patency>
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pat·en·cy (paґtən-se) [L. patens open] the condition of being widely open.Medical dictionary. 2011.