broken arrow

See also: Broken Arrow

English

Noun

broken arrow (plural broken arrows)

1. (technical writing) A callout marker that consists of a dashed line with an arrowhead.
   • 2003, Thomas W. Hungerford, Algebra, →ISBN, page 371:

     A broken arrow A - - -> B indicates that an occasional result of Section A is used in Section B, but that Section B is essentially independent of Section A.

   • 2012, Diana Gaitini, Musculoskeletal Ultrasound, An Issue of Ultrasound Clinics, →ISBN:

     Longitudinal scan of focal thickening and disruption of the median nerve (broken arrow), at the level volar to the distal radius, in keeping with scarring from prior trauma. (F) Sagittal proton density MR image of nonspecific thickening of the 2. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 3. 4. median nerve (broken arrow), with a similar configuration.

   • 2014, Richard W. Nelson, C. Guillermo Couto, Small Animal Internal Medicine, →ISBN, page 761:

     Note that the uptake of pertechnetate (i.e., darkness) is comparable between the two thyroid lobes (solid arrow) and the salivary glands (broken arrow).

2. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see broken,‎ arrow.