pterygium
noun
pte·ryg·i·um
te-ˈri-jē-əm 
plural pterygia
te-ˈri-jē-ə
also pterygiums
also pterygiums
: a fleshy mass of thickened conjunctiva that grows over part of the cornea usually from the inner side of the eyeball and causes a disturbance of vision
Examples of pterygium in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Wind and prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light can cause a pterygium.
—
Lindsay Curtis, Health, 4 Sep. 2024
Surgery: In cases of pterygium causing vision problems, surgery to remove the growth can help restore vision and reduce symptoms.
—Lindsay Curtis, Health, 4 Sep. 2024
The differential diagnoses included limbal dermoid, foreign-body granuloma, atypical pterygium, and corneal scar.
—Ncbi Rofl, Discover Magazine, 19 Mar. 2013
And so the Paralympian — who was born with popliteal pterygium syndrome and is a double above-knee amputee — took him up on the offer.
—Lindsay Kimble, PEOPLE.com, 14 Aug. 2020
Handler explained that a pterygium can extend onto the cornea, affecting vision.
—Beth Wood, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 June 2019
Other eye conditions are related to UV exposure, including the noncancerous growths known as pinguecula and pterygium.
—Jill U. Adams, courant.com, 31 May 2018
Lindsay Curtis, Health, 4 Sep. 2024
Surgery: In cases of pterygium causing vision problems, surgery to remove the growth can help restore vision and reduce symptoms.
—Lindsay Curtis, Health, 4 Sep. 2024
The differential diagnoses included limbal dermoid, foreign-body granuloma, atypical pterygium, and corneal scar.
—Ncbi Rofl, Discover Magazine, 19 Mar. 2013
And so the Paralympian — who was born with popliteal pterygium syndrome and is a double above-knee amputee — took him up on the offer.
—Lindsay Kimble, PEOPLE.com, 14 Aug. 2020
Handler explained that a pterygium can extend onto the cornea, affecting vision.
—Beth Wood, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 June 2019
Other eye conditions are related to UV exposure, including the noncancerous growths known as pinguecula and pterygium.
—Jill U. Adams, courant.com, 31 May 2018
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pterygium.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near pterygium
Cite this Entry
“Pterygium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pterygium. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
pterygium
noun
pte·ryg·i·um
te-ˈrij-ē-əm
plural pterygiums or pterygia
-ē-ə
1
: a triangular fleshy mass of thickened conjunctiva occurring usually at the inner side of the eyeball, covering part of the cornea, and causing a disturbance of vision
2
: a forward growth of the cuticle over the nail
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share