pterygium

pterygium
—pterygial, adj.
/teuh rij"ee euhm/, n., pl. pterygiums, pterygia /-rij"ee euh/. Opthalm.
an abnormal triangular mass of thickened conjunctiva extending over the cornea and interfering with vision.
[1650-60; < NL < Gk pterýgion little wing or fin, equiv. to pteryg- (s. of ptéryx) wing, fin + -ion dim. suffix]

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      abnormal wing-shaped fold of the conjunctiva (the mucous membrane lining the eyelids (eyelid) and covering most of the front of the eyeball) that invades the surface of the cornea. Often preceded or accompanied by a pinguecula (yellowish growth in the conjunctiva), pterygia arise from the inner (nasal) or outer (temporal) aspects of the eye (eye, human). The growth can obscure vision if it encroaches upon the centre of the cornea and thus covers the pupil. Pterygia can contract, altering the shape of the corneal surface and causing astigmatism and blurred vision. Pterygia result from exposure to bright sunlight, wind, and dust, as well as from chronic dryness of the eye. Treatment is surgical removal of the membrane, although recurrence is common in this stubborn affliction.

Daniel M. Albert David M. Gamm
 

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Universalium. 2010.

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  • Pterygium — (Flügelfell), aus dem altgriechischen πτέρυξ / pteryx = Fluegel, bezeichnet in der Medizin eine erworbene oder angeborene Besonderheit, die sich durch die Bildung von flughautähnlichen Haut oder Schleimhautfalten an diversen Körperstellen… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Pterygium — refers to any winglike triangular membrane occurring in the neck, eyes, knees, elbows, ankles or digits.cite journal |author=Parikh SN, Crawford AH, Do TT, Roy DR |title=Popliteal pterygium syndrome: implications for orthopaedic management… …   Wikipedia

  • Pterygium — Pte*ryg i*um, n.; pl. E. {Pterygiums}, L. {Pterygia}. [NL., fr. Gr. ?, properly a dim, akin to ? a feather.] (Med.) A superficial growth of vascular tissue radiating in a fanlike manner from the cornea over the surface of the eye. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Pterygĭum — (v. gr.), 1) so v.w. Flügelfell; 2) so v.w. Nagelgeschwür; 3) Hautauswuchs aus den Nägeln der Finger u. Zehen …   Pierer's Universal-Lexikon

  • Pterygĭum — (griech. lat.), das Augenfell (s. d.) …   Meyers Großes Konversations-Lexikon

  • Pterygium — Pterygĭum (grch.), s.v.w. Flügelfell (s.d.) …   Kleines Konversations-Lexikon

  • pterygium — [tə rij′ē əm] n. pl. pterygiums or pterygia [tə rij′ēə] [ModL < Gr pterygion, dim. of pteryx, wing, akin to pteron, FEATHER] an abnormal, triangular mass of mucous membrane growing over the human cornea from the inner corner of the eye… …   English World dictionary

  • Pterygium — A winglike triangular membrane. Although a pterygium can be anywhere, including behind the knee, it commonly refers to a winglet of the conjunctiva. This pterygium may extend across the white of the eye toward the inner corner of the eye. It is… …   Medical dictionary

  • Pterygium — Pte|ry|gi|um 〈n.; s, gia〉 = Flügelfell [<grch. pteron „Flügel“] * * * Pterygium   [zu griechisch ptéryx, ptérygos »Feder«, »Flügel«] das, s/...gia,    1) Medizin: das Flügelfell.    2) Zoologie: Bezeichnung für flächige Strukturen bei Tieren,… …   Universal-Lexikon

  • Pterygium — Pte|ry|gi|um das; s, ...ia <über gleichbed. (n)lat. pterygium aus gr. pterýgion, eigtl. »kleiner Flügel«, Verkleinerungsform von ptéryx, Gen. ptérygos »Feder; Flügel«>: 1. dreieckige Bindehautwucherung, die sich über die Hornhaut schiebt… …   Das große Fremdwörterbuch

  • Pterygium unguis — (also known as Dorsal pterygium [1]:660) forms as a result of scarring between the proximal nailfold and matrix, with the classic example being lichen planus, though it has been reported to occur as a result of sarcoidosis and Hansen s… …   Wikipedia

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