retina

noun

ret·​i·​na ˈre-tə-nə 

ˈret-nə

plural retinas also retinae ˈre-tə-ˌnē 

-ˌnī

: the sensory membrane that lines the eye, is composed of several layers including one containing the rods and cones, and functions as the immediate instrument of vision by receiving the image formed by the lens and converting it into chemical and nervous signals which reach the brain by way of the optic nerve see eye illustration

Examples of retina in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Even a sliver of the sun peeking out from behind the moon is enough to potentially permanently scorch your retinas, according to ophthalmologists. —Aliza Chasan, CBS News, 2 Oct. 2023

Early tests indicate the light-detecting cells in the eyeball’s retina are perceiving light and sending some signals to the visual cortex in his brain. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Nov. 2023

Patterns of light falling on the retina send signals to the visual cortex in the back of the brain. —Elizabeth Finkel, Quanta Magazine, 24 Aug. 2023

Scientists there hope to understand how the condition changes the retina. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 19 Oct. 2023

When the stream of photons struck the retina, neurons fired. —Quanta Magazine, 10 Oct. 2023

Glaucoma Glaucoma damages the optic nerve, which connects the eye's retina to the brain, when too much pressure is put on the eye. —Kristin Canning, Health, 30 June 2023

Thanks to its small size, it can be tucked away for traveling, and the retina display offers unparalleled colors and brightness. —Amy Schulman, Peoplemag, 10 Oct. 2023

And some 20 million people age 40 and up have macular degeneration, a disease of the retina associated with aging that diminishes central vision over time. —Bernard J. Wolfson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Oct. 2023

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Word History

Etymology

Middle English rethina, from Medieval Latin retina, probably from Latin rete net

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

retina

noun

ret·​i·​na ˈret-ᵊn-ə 

ˈret-nə

plural retinas also retinae -ᵊn-ˌē 

-ˌī

: the light-sensitive inner layer lining the back of the eye that contains the rods and cones and converts the images formed by the lens into signals which reach the brain by way of the optic nerve

retinal

-ᵊn-əl

-nəl

adjective

Medical Definition

retina

1 of 2 noun

ret·​i·​na ˈret-ᵊn-ə, ˈret-nə 

plural retinas also retinae -ᵊn-ˌē 

: the sensory membrane that lines most of the large posterior chamber of the vertebrate eye, is composed of several layers including one containing the rods and cones, and functions as the immediate instrument of vision by receiving the image formed by the lens and converting it into chemical and nervous signals which reach the brain by way of the optic nerve

Retin-A

2 of 2 trademark

Ret·​in-A ˌret-ᵊn-ˈā 

—used for a preparation of tretinoin