macula

noun

mac·​u·​la ˈma-kyə-lə 

plural maculae ˈma-kyə-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 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

Wet macular degeneration occurs when abnormal blood vessels develop underneath the retina and macula. —Ed Masley, The Arizona Republic, 5 Dec. 2024

These carotenoids specifically accumulate in a part of the retina called the macula. —Jillian Kubala, Health, 31 Oct. 2024

This is because a damaged macula has a harder time processing visual information in low-light settings. —Sarah Hudgens, Health, 11 Sep. 2024

Damage to the macula is one of the leading causes of vision loss.8 Anti-VEGF injections block VEGF to prevent eye damage and preserve your vision. —Lindsay Curtis, Health, 18 July 2024

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

Phrases Containing macula

• macula lutea

Medical Definition

macula

noun

mac·​u·​la ˈmak-yə-lə 

plural maculae -ˌlē  -ˌlī  also maculas

1

: a spot or blotch

especially : macule sense 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