Pterygium

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Pterygium \Pte*ryg"i*um\, n.; pl. E. {Pterygiums}, L.
     {Pterygia}. [NL., fr. Gr. ?, properly a dim, akin to ? a
     feather.] (Med.)
     A superficial growth of vascular tissue radiating in a
     fanlike manner from the cornea over the surface of the eye.
     [1913 Webster]



From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  pterygium
       n : a thickened triangular layer of conjunctiva extending from
           the nasal edge of the eye to the cornea; pterygia arise
           from irritation of the pinguecula
       [also: {pterygia} (pl)]