Dictionary

macrosomia An overly large body. A child with macrosomia has significant overgrowth, which can represent a hormone imbalance.

macula A small spot. For example, a macula on the skin is a small flat spot. See also macula lutea.

macula lutea A small area in the retina that provides the keenest vision. It is the light-sensitive layer of tissue at the back of the eye. Also known as simply macula.

macular 1 Referring to a macule, a circumscribed change in the color of the skin that is neither elevated nor depressed. 2 Referring to the macula lutea of the retina.

macular degeneration Deterioration of the macula lutea, a common progressive disorder that causes partial or total loss of macular vision, causing difficulty in doing tasks that require fine frontal vision (such as reading and driving a car). Although some forms of macular degeneration affect young people, most macular degeneration occurs in people over 60 years…

macular hole A hole in the macula, the area of the retina that is responsible for fine central vision. Macular holes occur mainly in women. In time, central vision tends to worsen. A surgical procedure called vitrectomy (removal of the vitreous humor) may be considered as a treatment option. See also macular vision.

macular vision The type of fine, sharp, straightahead vision that enables people to read, drive, and perform other activities. As light is focused onto the macula, millions of cells change the light into nerve signals that tell the brain what is being seen. This is called macular or central vision. See also maculalutea.

macule A circumscribed change in the color of skin that is neither raised nor depressed. Macules are completely flat and can only be appreciated by visual inspection and not by touch. Physicians refer to flat skin spots on the skin as macules, as opposed to papules.

lymphocytosis Having too many lymphocytes. Lymphocytosis may be a marker that infection or disease is present.

lymphogranuloma venereum An uncommon genital or anorectal (affecting the anus and/or rectum) infection that is caused by a specific type of Chlamydia trachomatis. Abbreviated LGV. Patients with LGV typically have tender lymph nodes in the groin and may recently have had a genital ulcer that resolved on its own. Other patients, in particular those with…

lymphoid Referring to lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell, or to tissue in which lymphocytes develop. Lymphoid tissue is full of lymphocytes, such as a lymph node.

lymphoid tissue The part of the body’s immune system that is important for the immune response and helps protect it from infection and foreign bodies. Lymphoid tissue is present throughout the body and includes the lymph nodes, spleen, tonsils, adenoids, and other structures.