Macula
252035
206981841
2008-04-20T22:52:31Z
86.49.39.200
{{dablink|This article is about the macula of the human eye. For other uses of the term macula, see: [[Macula (disambiguation)]]}}
{{Infobox Anatomy |
Name = {{PAGENAME}} |
Latin = macula lutea |
GraySubject = 225 |
GrayPage = 1015 |
Image = Human_eye_cross-sectional_view_grayscale.png |
Caption = Human [[eye]] cross-sectional view. |
Image2 = |
Caption2 = |
Map = |
MapPos = |
MapCaption = |
Precursor = |
System = |
Artery = |
Vein = |
Nerve = |
Lymph = |
MeshName = Macula+Lutea |
MeshNumber = |
DorlandsPre = m_01 |
DorlandsSuf = 12509252 |
}}
The '''macula''' or '''macula lutea''' (from [[Latin]] ''macula'', "spot" + ''lutea'', "yellow") is an oval [[yellow]] spot near the center of the [[retina]] of the human [[eye]]. It has a diameter of around 5 mm and is often histologically defined as having two or more layers of [[ganglion cell]]s. Near its center is the [[fovea]], a small pit that contains the largest concentration of [[cone cell]]s in the eye and is responsible for central vision.
It is specialized for high [[Visual acuity|acuity]] vision. Within the macula are the [[fovea]] and [[foveola]] which contain a high density of [[Cone_cell|cones]] (photoreceptors with high acuity). In contrast to the rest of the retina, which is supplied by the [[retinal artery]], the macula receives its blood supply from the [[choroid]].
==Clinical significance==
Whereas loss of [[peripheral vision]] may go unnoticed for some time, damage to the macula will result in loss of central vision, which is usually immediately obvious.
The progressive destruction of the macula is a [[disease]] known as [[macular degeneration]] and leads to the creation of a macular hole. Macular holes are rarely caused by trauma, but if a severe blow is delivered perfectly it can burst the blood vessels going to the macula, destroying it.
Visual input to the macula occupies a substantial portion of the brain's visual capacity. As a result, some forms of [[Visual field#Visual field loss|visual field loss]] can occur without involving the macula; this is termed '''macular sparing'''. (For example, [[visual field testing]] might demonstrate ''[[homonymous hemianopsia]] with macular sparing''.) This finding can be very informative for the [[ophthalmologist]].
==See also==
*[[Cystoid macular edema]]
*[[Intermediate uveitis]]
==Additional images==
<gallery>
Image:Gray1206.png|The interior of the posterior half of the left eyeball.
</gallery>
{{Eye}}
{{Visual_system}}
{{eye-stub}}
[[Category:Eye]]
[[bn:ম্যাকুলা]]
[[de:Gelber Fleck (Auge)]]
[[et:Kollatähn]]
[[el:Ωχρή κηλίδα]]
[[es:Mácula]]
[[fr:Macula]]
[[it:Macula (oculistica)]]
[[lt:Geltonoji dėmė]]
[[nl:Gele vlek]]
[[no:Macula lutea]]
[[pl:Plamka żółta]]
[[pt:Mácula]]
[[ru:Жёлтое пятно]]
[[simple:Yellow spot]]
[[sv:Gula fläcken]]
[[tr:Sarı benek]]