macula

noun

mac·u·la ˈma-kyə-lə

plural maculae ˈma-kyə-ˌlē

-ˌlī

also maculas

: spot, blotch

especially : macule

: an anatomical structure having the form of a spot differentiated from surrounding tissues

: a small yellowish area lying slightly lateral to the center of the retina that is made up mostly of cones (see cone entry 1 sense 3a), plays a key role in visual acuity, and has the fovea at its center

called also macula lutea, yellow spot

macular

ˈma-kyə-lər

adjective

Examples of macula in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web While there’s currently no treatment for macular degeneration, eating healthy diet high in antioxidants (like vitamin C) and quitting smoking both help to support the cells of the macula, according to the American Macular Degeneration Foundation. —

Meghan Rabbitt, Good Housekeeping, 14 Oct. 2021 These pigments in the eye's macula are essential for maintaining healthy vision. —

Discover Magazine, 30 June 2023 As the name of the disease indicates, AMD occurs due to slow, progressive deterioration of the macula, a part of the eye necessary for clear, central vision. —

Elizabeth Svoboda, Discover Magazine, 26 Aug. 2015 Your macula is the part of the retina at the back of your eye that’s responsible for central (as opposed to peripheral) vision, deciphering color, and picking up the fine details. —

Meghan Rabbitt, Good Housekeeping, 14 Oct. 2021 The injections stanch the growth of abnormal, leaky blood vessels that grow under the macula region of the retina, which is responsible for clear central vision. —

Ron Winslow, WSJ, 4 Sep. 2022 The macula is central to reading, driving and seeing fine details. —

Joe Freeman, oregonlive, 21 Mar. 2022 The smear across his macula was the injury and inflammation caused by the infection. —

Lisa Sanders, New York Times, 16 June 2021 While there’s currently no treatment for macular degeneration, eating healthy diet high in antioxidants (like vitamin C) and quitting smoking both help to support the cells of the macula, according to the American Macular Degeneration Foundation. —

Meghan Rabbitt, Good Housekeeping, 14 Oct. 2021 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'macula.' 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

Middle English, borrowed from Latin, "stain, spot, blemish, one of the interstices of a net," of uncertain origin

Note: If macula goes back to *sma-tlā, then *sma- may represent an Indo-European base *smh₁- seen in Greek smáō, smân "to cleanse, wipe clean," smêma "ointment."

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of macula was in the 15th century

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Macula.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/macula. Accessed 8 Dec. 2023.

Copy Citation

Medical Definition

macula

noun

mac·u·la ˈmak-yə-lə

plural maculae -ˌlē

-ˌlī

also maculas

: a spot or blotch

especially : macule sense 2

: an anatomical structure having the form of a spot differentiated from surrounding tissues: as

: macula acustica

: a small yellowish area lying slightly lateral to the center of the retina that is made up mostly of cones, plays a key role in visual acuity, and has the fovea at its center

called also macula lutea, yellow spot