retina

American  

[ret-n-uh, ret-nuh] / ˈrɛt n ə, ˈrɛt nə /

noun

Anatomy.

plural

retinas, retinae

1. the innermost coat of the posterior part of the eyeball that receives the image produced by the lens, is continuous with the optic nerve, and consists of several layers, one of which contains the rods and cones that are sensitive to light.

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Trademark, Computers.

1. Retina, a brand name used by Apple, Inc., to describe display screens having a resolution so high that it is difficult to see individual pixels with the human eye.

   a Retina display; Retina technology; Retina quality.

retina British  

/ ˈrɛtɪnə /

noun

1. the light-sensitive membrane forming the inner lining of the posterior wall of the eyeball, composed largely of a specialized terminal expansion of the optic nerve. Images focused here by the lens of the eye are transmitted to the brain as nerve impulses

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retina Scientific  

/ rĕt′n-ə /

plural

retinas

1. The light-sensitive membrane that lines the inside of the back of the eyeball and connects to the brain by the optic nerve. The retina of vertebrate animals contains rods and cones, specialized cells that absorb light.

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retina Cultural  

1. The inner layer of the eye, sensitive to light, that is connected to the brain by the optic nerve. The retina lines the rear of the eye-ball. The lens of the eye focuses waves of light on the retina.

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Other Word Forms

• retinal adjective

Etymology

Origin of retina

1350–1400; Middle English ret ( h ) ina < Medieval Latin rētina, perhaps equivalent to Latin rēt- (stem of rēte ) net + -ina -ine ¹

Example Sentences

Researchers led by scientists at UCL have discovered a protein that appears to set off diabetic retinopathy, a common eye disease caused by high blood sugar damaging the retina's blood vessels.

From Science Daily

As AMD advances, the central field of vision becomes blurred because the retina's light-sensing cells are permanently damaged.

From Science Daily

The results also strengthen the case for using the retina as a noninvasive tool to help detect and monitor Alzheimer's disease.

From Science Daily

"Our findings suggest that a common underlying factor may be how much light reaches the retina during sustained near work -- particularly indoors."

From Science Daily

A London-based eye-surgeon has described how he himself underwent emergency surgery for a detached retina after a blind spot appeared in his right eye.

From BBC