conjunctiva

noun

con·​junc·​ti·​va ˌkän-ˌjəŋ(k)-ˈtī-və How to pronounce conjunctiva (audio)
kən-
plural conjunctivas or conjunctivae ˌkän-ˌjəŋ(k)-ˈtī-(ˌ)vē How to pronounce conjunctiva (audio)
kən-
: the mucous membrane that lines the inner surface of the eyelids and is continued over the forepart of the eyeball see eye illustration
conjunctival adjective

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web The company also warns that contact of HDQ Neutral with the eyes can cause permanent damage to the conjunctiva and tissue damage and that inhalation can lead to coughing, as well as as irritation or damage to the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract. Selene Rivera, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2023 Instead, an artist, in this case, injects a tiny amount of ink under the conjunctiva (the clear membrane covering the front of the eye) and over the sclera (the whites of the eye). Meirav Devash, Allure, 21 Jan. 2021 Loss of the third eyelid frequently results in chronic irritation of the cornea and the remaining conjunctiva. Paul Miller, Scientific American, 1 Sep. 2015 The research team found the ACE2 and TMPRSS2 receptors not only in the cornea, but also in the conjunctiva that covers the whites of your eyes and the inside of your eyelids. Madeline Bodin, Discover Magazine, 16 Nov. 2020 The third is made from mucus and produced by the lining of the eye, the conjunctiva. Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 16 Aug. 2022 Redness of the conjunctiva, seen as redness in the white part of the eyes, is a typical finding, but there are other less-specific signs, including abdominal pain, cough, joint pain and rash. Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 4 July 2022 This is called allergic conjunctivitis because allergens cause the protective covering of the eye and eyelid—the conjunctiva—to swell. Lauren Krouse, SELF, 1 June 2022 Many viruses—most notably, adenovirus, which is a group of viruses that causes cold-like symptoms, herpes virus, and others—can affect the conjunctiva, Dr. Nguyen says. Amy Marturana Winderl, Health.com, 8 Dec. 2021 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'conjunctiva.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Late Latin, feminine of conjunctivus conjoining, from Latin conjunctus

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of conjunctiva was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near conjunctiva

Cite this Entry

“Conjunctiva.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/conjunctiva. Accessed 6 Jun. 2023.

Kids Definition

conjunctiva

noun
con·​junc·​ti·​va ˌkän-ˌjəŋk-ˈtī-və How to pronounce conjunctiva (audio)
-ˈtē-
plural conjunctivas or conjunctivae -(ˌ)vē How to pronounce conjunctiva (audio)
: the mucous membrane that lines the inner surface of the eyelids and is continued over the front part of the eyeball

Medical Definition

conjunctiva

noun
con·​junc·​ti·​va ˌkän-ˌjəŋ(k)-ˈtī-və, kən- How to pronounce conjunctiva (audio)
plural conjunctivas or conjunctivae -(ˌ)vē How to pronounce conjunctiva (audio)
: the mucous membrane that lines the inner surface of the eyelids and is continued over the forepart of the eyeball
conjunctival adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on conjunctiva

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