pterygium

[ tuh-rij-ee-uhm ]

noun,plural pte·ryg·i·ums, pte·ryg·i·a

[tuh-rij-ee-uh]. /təˈrɪdʒ i ə/. Ophthalmology.

an abnormal triangular mass of thickened conjunctiva extending over the cornea and interfering with vision.

Origin of pterygium

1650–60; <New Latin <Greek pterýgion little wing or fin, equivalent to pteryg- (stem of ptéryx) wing, fin + -ion diminutive suffix

pterygium should be removed when advancing across the cornea, especially when the pupillary area is becoming involved.
A System of Operative Surgery, Volume IV (of 4) | Various
Each consists of a basal portion, the basi-pterygium, and of a number of dermal rays.
The Vertebrate Skeleton | Sidney H. Reynolds
There is always a large basi-pterygium which lies imbedded in the muscles and meets its fellow at its proximal end.
The Vertebrate Skeleton | Sidney H. Reynolds
In Chimaera all three basalia are present, but the meso-pterygium is shifted and does not articulate with the pectoral girdle.
The Vertebrate Skeleton | Sidney H. Reynolds
The males in Elasmobranchii and Holocephali have the distal end of the meta-pterygium prolonged into a clasper.
The Vertebrate Skeleton | Sidney H. Reynolds

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