macula
noun
mac·u·la ˈma-kyə-lə 
plural maculae ˈma-kyə-ˌlē -ˌlī also maculas
-ˌlī also maculas 1
: spot, blotch
especially : macule
2
a
: an anatomical structure having the form of a spot differentiated from surrounding tissues
b
: a small yellowish area lying slightly lateral to the center of the retina that is made up mostly of cones (see cone entry 1 sense 3a), plays a key role in visual acuity, and has the fovea at its center
called also macula lutea, yellow spot
macular
ˈma-kyə-lər
adjective 
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web The injections stanch the growth of abnormal, leaky blood vessels that grow under the macula region of the retina, which is responsible for clear central vision. 
Ron Winslow, WSJ, 4 Sep. 2022 The macula is central to reading, driving and seeing fine details. Joe Freeman, oregonlive, 21 Mar. 2022 The smear across his macula was the injury and inflammation caused by the infection. Lisa Sanders, New York Times, 16 June 2021 While there’s currently no treatment for macular degeneration, eating healthy diet high in antioxidants (like vitamin C) and quitting smoking both help to support the cells of the macula, according to the American Macular Degeneration Foundation. Meghan Rabbitt, Good Housekeeping, 14 Oct. 2021 This type is caused by abnormal blood vessels that leak fluid and/or blood into the center part of the retina called the macula, Eichenbaum explains. Stephanie Emma Pfeffer, PEOPLE.com, 11 Aug. 2021 The macula can be sensitive to blue light, which is emitted from electronic devices such as cellphones, computer monitors and TVs. Star Tribune, 29 June 2021 But beneath that, Eliott could see another worrisome finding — under the very center of the macula was a small cluster of abnormal blood vessels. Lisa Sanders, New York Times, 16 June 2021 Second, in the macula, where most of the seeing takes place, the normally darker red of the vision center was obscured by a smear of yellow-gray material. Lisa Sanders, New York Times, 16 June 2021 See More
Ron Winslow, WSJ, 4 Sep. 2022 The macula is central to reading, driving and seeing fine details. Joe Freeman, oregonlive, 21 Mar. 2022 The smear across his macula was the injury and inflammation caused by the infection. Lisa Sanders, New York Times, 16 June 2021 While there’s currently no treatment for macular degeneration, eating healthy diet high in antioxidants (like vitamin C) and quitting smoking both help to support the cells of the macula, according to the American Macular Degeneration Foundation. Meghan Rabbitt, Good Housekeeping, 14 Oct. 2021 This type is caused by abnormal blood vessels that leak fluid and/or blood into the center part of the retina called the macula, Eichenbaum explains. Stephanie Emma Pfeffer, PEOPLE.com, 11 Aug. 2021 The macula can be sensitive to blue light, which is emitted from electronic devices such as cellphones, computer monitors and TVs. Star Tribune, 29 June 2021 But beneath that, Eliott could see another worrisome finding — under the very center of the macula was a small cluster of abnormal blood vessels. Lisa Sanders, New York Times, 16 June 2021 Second, in the macula, where most of the seeing takes place, the normally darker red of the vision center was obscured by a smear of yellow-gray material. Lisa Sanders, New York Times, 16 June 2021 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English, borrowed from Latin, "stain, spot, blemish, one of the interstices of a net," of uncertain origin
Note: If macula goes back to *sma-tlā, then *sma- may represent an Indo-European base *smh1- seen in Greek smáō, smân "to cleanse, wipe clean," smêma "ointment."
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing macula
Medical Definition
macula
noun
mac·u·la ˈmak-yə-lə
plural maculae -ˌlē -ˌlī also maculas
-ˌlī also maculas 1
: a spot or blotch
especially : macule sense 2
2
: an anatomical structure having the form of a spot differentiated from surrounding tissues: as
a
: macula acustica
b
: a small yellowish area lying slightly lateral to the center of the retina that is made up mostly of cones, plays a key role in visual acuity, and has the fovea at its center
called also macula lutea, yellow spot
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