OPHTHALMOCELE Meaning and
Definition
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Ophthalmocele is a medical term primarily used in the field of ophthalmology, referring to a rare developmental disorder characterized by the presence of an abnormal bulging or protrusion of ocular structures. Specifically, it describes the herniation or displacement of the eyeball or its associated tissues through an opening or defect in the orbital wall, which is the bony structure that encloses and protects the eye.
The condition typically arises during fetal development, often originating from defects in the formation and closure of the embryonic plates responsible for the formation of the eye socket. Consequently, ophthalmocele usually manifests as a visible physical abnormality, with the eye appearing to be unusually prominent or displaced.
Ophthalmocele is commonly classified into two types: anterior and posterior. Anterior ophthalmocele involves the herniation of ocular tissues through the front of the eye socket, leading to displacement and protrusion of the cornea and other anterior structures. On the other hand, posterior ophthalmocele occurs towards the back of the eye socket, involving protrusion of the eye's posterior structures, such as the optic nerve.
This condition requires multidisciplinary medical management involving ophthalmologists, pediatricians, and sometimes geneticists. Surgical intervention is often necessary to correct the orbital defect and reposition the displaced ocular tissues, with the goal of achieving normal ocular function and cosmesis. In some cases, ophthalmocele may be associated with other congenital abnormalities or genetic disorders, further necessitating a comprehensive management approach.
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Protrusion of the eyeball, exophthalmus.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for OPHTHALMOCELE
- iphthalmocele
- kphthalmocele
- lphthalmocele
- pphthalmocele
- 0phthalmocele
- 9phthalmocele
- oohthalmocele
- olhthalmocele
- o-hthalmocele
- o0hthalmocele
- opgthalmocele
- opbthalmocele
- opnthalmocele
- opjthalmocele
- oputhalmocele
- opythalmocele
- ophrhalmocele
- ophfhalmocele
- ophghalmocele
- ophyhalmocele
Etymology of OPHTHALMOCELE
The word "ophthalmocele" comes from the combination of two Greek roots: "ophthalmo" and "kele".
The Greek root "ophthalmo" (ὀφθαλμός) means "eye". This root is also found in other related English medical terms like "ophthalmology" (study of the eye) and "ophthalmologist" (eye specialist).
The Greek root "kele" (κήλη) means "hernia" or "protrusion". This root is also found in various medical terms related to hernia-like conditions.
Therefore, combining the roots, "ophthalmocele" refers to a herniation or protrusion affecting the eye.
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