staphyloma

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noun

An abnormal protrusion of the uveal tissue through the eyeball.

Scrabble 20

Meanings

nounstaphyloma (plural staphylomas or staphylomata)

plural staphylomas · plural staphylomata

  1. medicineAn abnormal protrusion of the uveal tissue through the eyeball.

    Staphyloma is that disease of the eyeball, in which the cornea loses its natural transparency, rises above the level of the eye, and successively even projects beyond the eyelids […]

    1818, Samuel Cooper, A Dictionary of practical Surgery
    2 more examples

    One of the forms of staphyloma, which is regarded as in no degree malignant, appears to be essentially composed of a collection of cysts; and, as far as I can judge from mere description, having never had an opportunity of examining a case of the kind myself, is connected with that form of adventitious serous membrane with which we are now occupied.

    1836, Thomas Hodgkin, Lectures on the Morbid Anatomy of the Serous and Mucous Membranes

    Abscission of the staphyloma should never be performed where there is reason to suspect pre-existing disease of the choroid or retina, as deep haemorrhage is likely to follow the removal of the front of the globe, which may necessitate the rest of the eye.

    1869, George Lawson, Diseases and injuries of the Eye: their medical and surgical treatment, page 53

Origin

Latin, from Ancient Greek.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

staphyloma. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/staphyloma

MLA

“staphyloma.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/staphyloma. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “staphyloma,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/staphyloma.

Source: staphyloma on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.