PERIPAPILLARY Meaning and
Definition
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Peripapillary is an adjective used to describe a location or region that surrounds or is situated near the optic disc, which is the anatomical site on the retina where the optic nerve exits the eye. Derived from the Greek words "peri-" meaning around and "papilla" referring to the optic disc, the term peripapillary typically pertains to the area immediately adjacent to the optic disc.
In the field of ophthalmology, peripapillary refers to the region around the optic disc that may be examined and evaluated for various eye conditions and diseases, including glaucoma. The peripapillary region is of particular interest in glaucoma diagnosis and monitoring because damage to the nerve fibers often first occurs in this area. This evaluation may involve the measurement of certain structural features, such as the thickness of the retinal nerve fiber layer, which can be indicative of glaucoma progression.
Due to its anatomical significance and clinical relevance, the peripapillary region is commonly studied using various imaging techniques, such as fundus photography, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and scanning laser polarimetry (SLP). These modalities help visualize and assess the peripapillary area, aiding in the detection, diagnosis, and management of various ocular conditions.
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Surrounding a papilla, particularly the optic papilla.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for PERIPAPILLARY
Etymology of PERIPAPILLARY
The word "peripapillary" consists of two elements: "peri-" and "papillary".
1. "Peri-" is a prefix derived from Greek, meaning "around" or "surrounding". It usually indicates location or proximity.
2. "Papillary" originates from the Latin word "papilla", which refers to a small nipple or a tiny projection. In anatomy, "papilla" refers to structures that are shaped like nipples, such as the dermal papillae in the skin or the renal papillae in the kidney.
Therefore, "peripapillary" combines these elements to form a term in medicine or anatomy that describes something located or surrounding the papilla. In particular, it is commonly used to refer to the area around the optic disc (also known as the optic papilla) in the eye.
