Main Entry: oblique vein of Mar·shall Pronunciation: -'mär-sh&l Function: noun :OBLIQUE VEIN OF THE LEFT ATRIUM Marshall, John(1818–1891), British anatomist andsurgeon. Marshall enjoyed a long association with the medical faculty of University College, London, where he was at various times a demonstrator of anatomy, a surgeon, professor of surgery, andprofessor of clinical surgery. In an 1850 paper on veins he described the oblique vein of the left atrium. He is also known for his early operations for excision of varicose veins.