The term "fovea sphaerica" refers to a spherical depression at the back of the eye, where the center of the retina is located. It is pronounced as /foʊˈviːə ˈsfɪrɪkə/ in IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet). The word "fovea" is pronounced as "fo-VEE-uh," with stress on the second syllable, and the "sphaerica" is pronounced as "sfi-RIC-uh," with stress on the third syllable. The spelling of the word is a combination of Latin and Greek, which reflects the origin and heritage of medical terminology.
Fovea sphaerica is a term employed in anatomy and ophthalmology to describe a specific anatomical structure of the eye. The word "fovea" originates from the Latin term "fossa," meaning a small pit or depression. It refers to a small area within the retina, the light-sensitive tissue lining the back of the eye. This fovea is responsible for sharp, detailed vision and comprises mostly of cone cells, which are the photoreceptor cells responsible for color perception and visual acuity.
"Sphaerica," on the other hand, is derived from the Latin word "sphaera," meaning sphere. This term is appended to "fovea" due to the spherical shape that the fovea sphaerica exhibits in its three-dimensional form. It signifies the specifically rounded configuration that differentiates it from other areas of the retina.
The fovea sphaerica is positioned within the macula, which is the central region of the retina. This anatomical structure is characterized by a small depression or dimple, resulting in a slight elevation of the surrounding tissue. Its location at the macula enables it to be aligned with the visual axis, the imaginary line connecting the center of the lens to the center of the retina. This alignment allows light to hit the fovea directly, optimizing visual acuity.
In summary, the fovea sphaerica is a rounded depression within the macula of the retina, responsible for high-resolution, detailed vision. It consists predominantly of cone cells, which contribute to color perception and visual acuity.
Recessus sphaericus.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "fovea" comes from the Latin word "fossa", which means "ditch" or "trench". In anatomy, a fovea refers to a small depression or pit. The term "sphaerica" comes from the Latin word "sphaerica" itself, meaning "spherical" or "round". Therefore, "fovea sphaerica" can be translated as "spherical pit" or "round depression" in English.