PHYSIOLOGICAL CUP Meaning and
Definition
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The term "physiological cup" is commonly used in ophthalmology to refer to a specific anatomical feature found on the optic nerve head. It represents a small depression or pit that is formed centrally on the optic disc, where the nerve fibers exit the eye. This cup is a normal and essential part of the optic nerve head structure.
The physiological cup is formed due to the arrangement of nerve fibers within the optic nerve head. As the axons of ganglion cells converge towards the optic nerve, they create a bundle that passes through the center of the optic disc. This results in a concave shape within the disc, which is the physiological cup.
Ophthalmologists evaluate the size and shape of the physiological cup during eye examinations as it can provide valuable information about the health of the optic nerve. Changes in the cup shape, such as enlargement or asymmetry, may indicate certain eye conditions like glaucoma, which can lead to optic nerve damage.
Measuring the cup-to-disc ratio, which is the ratio of the physiological cup's size to the total optic disc diameter, allows eye care professionals to assess the health of the optic nerve and detect any abnormalities. A larger cup-to-disc ratio may be an indication of increased risk for glaucoma.
In summary, the physiological cup is a normal anatomical feature that is essential for the proper functioning of the optic nerve. Its evaluation is crucial in diagnosing and monitoring eye conditions, particularly glaucoma.
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A funnel shaped excavation of the optic disc, an exaggeration of the normal depression, caused by the dragging of the ciliary muscle in efforts at accommodation.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for PHYSIOLOGICAL CUP
- ohysiological cup
- lhysiological cup
- -hysiological cup
- 0hysiological cup
- pgysiological cup
- pbysiological cup
- pnysiological cup
- pjysiological cup
- puysiological cup
- pyysiological cup
- phtsiological cup
- phgsiological cup
- phhsiological cup
- phusiological cup
- ph7siological cup
- ph6siological cup
- phyaiological cup
- phyziological cup
- phyxiological cup
- phydiological cup
Etymology of PHYSIOLOGICAL CUP
The term "physiological cup" is derived from the combination of two words: "physiological" and "cup".
The word "physiological" originates from the Greek word "physis", meaning nature or natural, and "logia", meaning the study or science of. In English, "physiological" refers to the study of the normal functions and processes of a living organism or its parts.
The word "cup" can be traced back to the Old English word "cuppe", which itself is derived from the Latin word "cuppa" or "cuprum", meaning "a container with a handle".
When these two words are combined, "physiological cup" specifically refers to a medical term, also known as "Gohn’s spade cup", used to measure the optic disc's size and shape in ophthalmology.
