pterygium

noun

pte·​ryg·​i·​um te-ˈri-jē-əm 

plural pterygia te-ˈri-jē-ə  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

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek pterygion little wing, from pteryx

First Known Use

1562, in the meaning defined above

Medical 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