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optic cup
noun
: the optic vesicle after invaginating to form a 2-layered cup from which the retina and pigmented layer of the eye will develop
called also eyecup
Examples of optic cup in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Just as in normal embryonic development, over the course of about a week the cells organized themselves into a small sac that spontaneously folded itself in half to form the optic cup, a structure that consists of the retina and its supporting layer.
—Veronique Greenwood, Discover Magazine, 8 Apr. 2011
The stem cells formed a sac that then folded in half a couple days later (see image above, courtesy of Nature), forming the optic cup.
—Veronique Greenwood, Discover Magazine, 8 Apr. 2011
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'optic cup.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
circa 1882, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near optic cup
Cite this Entry
“Optic cup.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/optic%20cup. Accessed 2 Oct. 2024.
Medical Definition
optic cup
noun
: the optic vesicle after invaginating to form a 2-layered cup from which the retina and pigmented layer of the eye will develop
called also eyecup
More from Merriam-Webster on optic cup
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about optic cup
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