scotoma

[ skoh-toh-muh ]

noun

, Pathology.

, plural sco·to·mas, sco·to·ma·ta [skoh-, toh, -m, uh, -t, uh].

1. loss of vision in a part of the visual field; blind spot.

scotoma

/ skɒˈtɒmətəs; skɒˈtəʊmə /

noun

1. pathol a blind spot; a permanent or temporary area of depressed or absent vision caused by lesions of the visual system, viewing the sun directly ( eclipse scotoma ), squinting, etc
2. psychol a mental blind spot; inability to understand or perceive certain matters

Derived Forms

• scotomatous, adjective

Other Words From

• sco·tom·a·tous [skoh-, tom, -, uh, -t, uh, s], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of scotoma¹

1535–45; < Late Latin < Greek skótōma dizziness. See scoto-, -oma

Word History and Origins

Origin of scotoma¹

C16: via Medieval Latin from Greek skotōma giddiness, from skotoun to make dark, from skotos darkness

Example Sentences

In each eye there was a central scotoma for red, and contraction of the field (see diagram).

From Project Gutenberg