Foveola papillaris, a term used in medical anatomy, is pronounced (fəʊviələ pæpɪˈlærɪs), with stress on the second syllable of "papillaris." The first word, "foveola," is derived from the Latin word "fovea," meaning a small pit or depression, while the second word, "papillaris," is derived from the Latin word "papilla," meaning a small, nipple-like projection. When combined, these terms refer to a small pit or depression in the skin with a nipple-like projection, commonly found on the fingertips. The spelling reflects its Latin roots and its medical usage.
The term "foveola papillaris" refers to a specialized structure found within the retina of the eye. It is a minute, cone-shaped protrusion located within the central part of the macula, known as the foveola. The foveola papillaris is responsible for providing detailed central vision, allowing for a sharp focus and the ability to discern fine details of objects.
The term "foveola" refers to a small pit-like depression within the macula, which is a critical area of the retina responsible for central vision. It is densely packed with cone photoreceptor cells, which are responsible for color vision and visual acuity. The foveola is considered to be the area of highest visual acuity in the eye, providing the clearest and sharpest vision.
The foveola papillaris acts as a central peak within the foveola, creating a slight elevation that enhances its function. This minute elevation helps to increase the density of the cone cells, leading to improved visual acuity in the central visual field.
The foveola papillaris is an essential structure for tasks that require high levels of visual detail, such as reading, writing, and recognizing faces. Its presence allows humans and certain other primates to have superior visual acuity compared to many other animals.
Understanding the anatomical structure and function of the foveola papillaris provides insights into the complexity and precision of visual processing within the human eye, highlighting its remarkable ability to perceive fine details and improve overall visual perception.
The minute depression sometimes seen at the apex of a papilla of the kidney where the excretory tubes open into a calyx.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "foveola" is derived from the Latin word "fovea", meaning "a small pit or depression". In anatomy, "foveola" refers to a small pit or depression on the surface of an organ or tissue, such as the foveola of the retina.
"Papillaris" is also derived from the Latin word "papilla", meaning "a small nipple or bump". In anatomy, "papillaris" is used to describe structures that resemble or have small nipple-like projections, such as the papillaris layer of the dermis in the skin.
Therefore, the term "foveola papillaris" combines the Latin words "fovea" and "papilla" to describe a small pit or depression with small nipple-like projections.