macula

noun mac·u·la \ ˈma-kyə-lə \

|Updated on: 29 Apr 2018

Definition of macula

plural maculae play \-ˌlē, -ˌlī\ also maculas

1 : spot, blotch; especially : macule

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

b : a small yellowish area lying slightly lateral to the center of the retina that is made up mostly of cones (see ¹cone 3a), plays a key role in visual acuity, and has the fovea at its center — called also macula lutea, yellow spot

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macular

play \-lər\ adjective

Recent Examples of macula from the Web

The disease causes weakening of the macula, which is the small area at the center of the retina, which is specialized for fine vision.

— andrea k. mcdaniels, baltimoresun.com, "Ask the Expert: Macular degeneration can lead to difficulty reading, recognizing faces and performing other fine tasks," 17 Apr. 2018
Bleeding and swelling of the macula results in macular edema and eventually, maculopathy, while starvation of the retina leads to a chain-reaction of negative events that eventually results in diabetic retinopathy.

— Jewish Journal, "Taking a stand against hookah smoking on Passover, or anytime," 12 Mar. 2018
This condition leads to a loss of sharp vision in the center of the retina (the macula).

— joe, The Seattle Times, "Saffron supplement may save eyesight," 28 Jan. 2018
Byproducts of the vitamin accumulate on the macula, in the back of the eye, eventually resulting in a loss of central vision, as if perpetually looking at the world through an eclipse.

— matthew kronsberg, Bloomberg.com, "These Two Brothers Are Trying to Cure Blindness, One Henley at a Time," 22 Sep. 2017
Located on the opposite side of the lens, the macula includes the region of sharpest vision, the fovea.

— bradley j. fikes, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Dry macular degeneration stopped with low glycemic index diet in mouse study," 15 May 2017
The membrane can form over the macula , a region near the center of the retina that sharply focuses images, a crucial process for reading or seeing fine detail.

— christopher wanjek, Fox News, "Robot completes delicate eye surgery in first," 10 May 2017
The membrane can form over the macula, a region near the center of the retina that sharply focuses images, a crucial process for reading or seeing fine detail.

— christopher wanjek, NBC News, "Robot Performs First-Ever Surgery Inside Human Eye," 9 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'macula.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of macula

Middle English, from Latin

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

Medical Dictionary

macula

noun mac·u·la \ ˈmak-yə-lə \

medical Definition of macula

plural maculae play \-ˌlē, -ˌlī\ also maculas

1 : a spot or blotch; especially : macule 2

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

a : macula acustica

b : 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