ptosis

noun

pto·​sis ˈtō-səs How to pronounce ptosis (audio)
plural ptoses ˈtō-ˌsēz How to pronounce ptosis (audio)
: a sagging or prolapse of an organ or part
especially : a drooping of the upper eyelid

Examples of ptosis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Other symptoms include a dilated pupil, redness and tears in the affected eye, ptosis, and nasal congestion.4 SUNCT headache: Short-lasting, unilateral, neuralgiform headache attacks with conjunctival injection and tearing (SUNCT) causes moderate to severe pain around the eye or temple. Mark Gurarie, Health, 25 July 2024 Other symptoms may include sweating, ptosis, red and watery eyes, nasal congestion, and pressure in the affected eye.6 Secondary Headaches Secondary headaches can also cause pain on the right side of your head. Mark Gurarie, Health, 25 July 2024 Its precision means there's less risk of brow ptosis (which is when the brow drops lower than normal, to the point of potentially causing vision impairment). Danielle Cohen, Allure, 23 July 2024 In the case of Daxxify and other similar injections, the most common ones are bruising, swelling, headaches, and, in some cases, eyelid and eyebrow ptosis (an unintended drooping of the lids or brows). Brian Underwood, Women's Health, 28 Mar. 2023 Droopy eyelid, also called ptosis, is when the upper eyelid droops over the eye and blocks your vision. Dagny Zhu, Verywell Health, 26 Jan. 2023 The technical term for my mother’s drooping eyelids was ptosis. Paul Muldoon, The New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2021 Freitag squints at my face on the screen and says my ptosis is perceptible but mild. Jancee Dunn, Vogue, 12 Mar. 2021 This is best for hiding the fact that my eyes are not symmetrical—a result of being born with ptosis, a drooping eyelid, and many operations to correct it. Gal Beckerman, The New Republic, 7 May 2018

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek ptōsis act of falling, from piptein

First Known Use

1710, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ptosis was in 1710

Dictionary Entries Near ptosis

Cite this Entry

“Ptosis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ptosis. Accessed 16 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

ptosis

noun
pto·​sis ˈtō-səs How to pronounce ptosis (audio)
plural ptoses -ˌsēz How to pronounce ptosis (audio)
: a sagging or prolapse of an organ or part
renal ptosis
especially : a drooping of the upper eyelid (as from paralysis of the oculomotor nerve)

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